[Students] Important Updates for Fall 2023: Campus Health, Vaccine Policy and COVID-19

[Gerard J Bomotti]

Important Updates for Fall 2023: Campus Health, Vaccine Policy and COVID-19

As we eagerly anticipate the return of students, faculty, and staff to our campus for the upcoming fall semester, it remains imperative that we maintain the vigilance and precautions that have served us well in managing the challenges posed by COVID-19 and other contagious illnesses, such as the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), over the past few years. The well-being of our Highlander community is our top priority, and to that end, we'd like to share some essential reminders and updates.

UPDATED UCOP VACCINE POLICY: the UCOP Policy on Vaccination Programs - With Interim Revisions, went into effect on August 16, 2023 and can be accessed online at http://policy.ucop.edu/.
What the Policy Updates mean to you:

  1.  COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: The policy now requires all covered individuals to receive or affirmatively decline the COVID-19 vaccine/booster on an annual basis. The deadline to record your decision is December 1, 2023. Employees must access and record their action in the campus employee Patient Portal<https://chconline.ucr.edu/home.aspx>  on or before the deadline to assure that they are in compliance with the policy. The policy no longer mandates that covered individuals must be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination or receive a University-approved exception and no "non pharmaceutical interventions" (NPIs) such as masking is required for those that are not vaccinated. Registration holds will not be placed on student records.



  1.  Seasonal Influenza (flu) vaccine requirement: The policy requires that all covered individuals must receive or affirmatively decline the flu vaccine. The deadline to record your decision is December 1, 2023, and likely annually thereafter. Employees must access the campus employee Patient Portal<https://chconline.ucr.edu/home.aspx> on or before the deadline to assure that they are in compliance with the policy. Registration holds will not be placed on student records.

REMINDERS:

  *   Prioritize Self-Care: If you are feeling unwell or displaying symptoms of illness, please stay home. This simple step is crucial in preventing the spread of infections.
  *   Reporting COVID-19 Positive Cases: If you test positive for COVID-19 and were at a campus location, report your case using this link.<https://ehs.ucr.edu/Coronavirus/COVIDScreeningCheck>  Students must report positive cases through the student portal<https://chconline.ucr.edu/home.aspx>.
  *   Stay Informed with Our COVID-19 Dashboard: Regularly check our COVID-19 dashboard<https://ehs.ucr.edu/coronavirus/dashboards> for updates on campus locations where a COVID-19 positive case or outbreaks may have occurred.
  *   Maintain Good Hygiene Practices: Continue practicing proper handwashing and respiratory hygiene to reduce the risk of transmission. Masks request can be made at: https://ehs.ucr.edu/coronavirus/facecoverings
  *   Antigen Test Kits Request: COVID-19 antigen tests<https://ucriverside.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1Suvs4CwIMX76LQ> are available upon request for faculty/staff while supplies last.  Student should contact Student Health Services for PCR testing.

It's important to note that COVID-19 protocols have evolved, and our ability to track cases across campus has become less intensive compared to previous years. Many public health mandates have been relaxed, and contact tracing efforts have scaled down. Instead, we closely collaborate with our local public health department to monitor community epidemiology and adjust our response as needed.

UCR experienced a slight increase in positive cases in August, and some sites reported outbreaks. Nationally, <https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_new-admissions-rate-county> we've observed a similar trend with a slight uptick in hospitalizations. These fluctuations are not unexpected for respiratory viruses, particularly considering summer travel and potential waning immunity from prior infections and vaccinations.

As we navigate the challenges posed by these contagious diseases, let us continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our Highlander community. Your cooperation and commitment to these guidelines are crucial in fostering a safe and healthy campus environment. Together, we can overcome these challenges and ensure a successful fall quarter.



Thank you,



Dr. Kenneth Han

Office of Student Health



Sheila Hedayati

Executive Director EH&S



Karla Hill

Director, Occupational Health

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