UCOP Announces Systemwide Flu Shot Mandate

Re: UCOP Announces Systemwide Flu Shot Mandate

To: All Campus

August 7, 2020

 

To support the health and well-being of UC students, faculty and staff and our communities, the University of California, in consultation with UC Health leadership, has issued a systemwide executive order requiring all members of the UC community to receive an influenza immunization before Nov. 1, 2020.

 

The executive order is an important proactive measure to help protect members of the UC community — and the public at large — and to ameliorate the severe burdens on health care systems anticipated during the coming fall and winter from influenza and COVID-19 illnesses.

 

In addition to protecting those on campuses and the surrounding communities, this requirement is designed to avoid a surge of flu cases at health care facilities across the state during the unprecedented public health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

 

“This year, it is more important to get a flu shot by October than ever before due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said Dr. Thelma Hurd, physician and director of medical education at UC Merced. "Your flu shot is as important as face coverings, hand washing and physical distancing. If you are going to ‘Do Your Part’ you need to ‘Get Your Flu Shot’."

 

All UC medical plans which cover faculty, staff and students include coverage for flu vaccinations at no cost to those covered by the plan. In addition, for those without group health care coverage, all ACA-compliant health plans also cover flu vaccinations as part of a preventive care package that includes no copay.

 

Dr. Michelle Brinkop, staff physician at UC Merced Student Health Services (SHS), said SHS will be offering weekly influenza vaccine clinics throughout the Fall Semester. "Be sure to get your flu vaccine early to protect yourself and your community," said Dr. Brinkop.

 

A process will be put in place for faculty and staff to request medical exemptions. Requests for disability or religious accommodations will be handled through the interactive process consistent with existing location policies and procedures.