Re: Flu Vaccination Requirement
To: All campus
Oct. 18, 2021
With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing, the potential confluence of infections from COVID-19 and influenza poses a threat to the health and safety at UC Merced and the public at large. Consequently, the University of California has issued a systemwide executive order requiring all covered students, faculty, other academic appointees and staff to, by Nov. 19, get vaccinated against influenza or make an informed choice to opt-out.
The executive order creates a uniform policy for the 2021-2022 flu season applicable to all students, faculty, other academic appointees and staff learning, living or working at UC locations.
Those who decide to opt-out of being vaccinated will be required to wear masks or face coverings on campus through the end of the flu season even if COVID-19 requirements are loosened.
Please use an online form to attest to receiving a flu vaccination or to confirm a decision to opt-out. Follow this link, then tap Flu Attestation/Declination.
UC Merced employee and student health plans cover flu vaccination without copays. In addition, a limited number of free flu inoculations for university employees will be available on campus 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Oct. 26 and 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Oct. 27. Go online to make an appointment. A total of about 150 doses are being provided by Kaiser Permanente.
Influenza vaccinations have proven effective in reducing risk of flu-related hospitalizations and the most serious forms of the disease. With influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses circulating at the same time, vaccination against both is needed to mitigate against overburdening health care systems as well as the threat to the health and safety of the UC community and the public at large.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the best source for information about this year’s flu vaccination, which is readily available.
