Home / 2023 / September / Notice of Open Comment – Policy on Vaccination Programs

Notice of Open Comment – Policy on Vaccination Programs

To: UC Santa Cruz Community

From: Ed Reiskin, Vice Chancellor of Finance, Operations and Administration

September 19, 2023

There have been significant changes in federal and State public health guidance regarding COVID-19 since the last Systemwide Review period for this policy. The federal Public Health Emergency ended in May, along with the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for federal employees and federal contractors. California’s COVID-19 State of Emergency ended in February, and the California Department of Public Health rescinded its healthcare worker vaccination requirement in April.

On August 16, 2023, the University issued its Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Interim Revisions. The interim revisions moved the University’s COVID-19 vaccination program to a systemwide opt-out program for all covered individuals. The University’s seasonal influenza vaccination program remains an opt-out program.  

At this time, the University of California Office of the President is moving to finalize the changes published in August and invites comments on the key provisions:

  • The policy will require covered individuals to either be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination or to opt out of COVID-19 vaccination. In the event applicable law or public health orders impose stricter vaccination requirements, such as for healthcare workers, the policy will continue to require compliance with those stricter requirements.
  • As policy will enable covered individuals to opt out of COVID-19 vaccination in lieu or needing to or receive a University-approved exception, model forms and other content regarding the exception process were removed.
  • COVID-19 vaccination program implementation guidelines were removed. Relevant language regarding vaccination data moved to the main policy. Policy noncompliance language was added to the main policy, including citations to relevant University policies.
  • Removed content regarding rescinded California Department of Public Health (CDPH) health care worker vaccine requirement.
  • Updated language consistent with current public health usage. Removed outdated deadlines and content.

The draft policy is posted on the Policy Coordination website at the UC Santa Cruz Policy Coordination website for policies in open comment.  

Visit this link for updates on how to attest or decline COVID-19 Vaccination requirements.

To provide feedback, send your comments to pco@ucsc.edu by the close of business on December 15, 2023.