Immunizations

 

On This Page

• Policy Overview
• Exemption Request Process
• COVID-19 and Flu
• Get Started
• Immunization-Related Enrollment Holds
• Optional and Travel Immunizations
• FAQs
• Forms and Resources
• Questions

University of California Immunization and Screening Requirements

All incoming UC students are REQUIRED to obtain the following vaccines and undergo screening for Tuberculosis.

This policy currently applies to all incoming students (undergraduates, graduates, transfers, and re-admits) who are living, studying, or coming to campus for any reason. The deadline for all required vaccines (except Flu & COVID-19) is before you come to campus. However, please consider the deadline to be as soon as possible so you don’t risk enrollment holds.

Covered individuals are required to show proof of immunity against:

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella: (MMR) 2 doses with first dose on or after 1st birthday; OR positive titer (laboratory evidence of immunity to disease.)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox): 2 doses with first dose on or after 1st birthday; OR positive titer. History of contracting the disease does not meet compliance.
• Tdap: 1 dose on or after the 11th birthday, then Tdap or Td every 10 years.
• Meningitis ACYW: 1 dose on or after age 16 for all students who are age 21 years or
  younger when starting school.
• Complete a Tuberculosis (TB) risk questionnaire: All incoming students must complete a Tuberculosis risk questionnaire. Incoming Students who are assessed as potentially at higher risk for TB infection, based on their responses to the screening questionnaire, will be required to undergo further evaluation and testing by their medical provider.

• Brief overview of the policy and requirements 
• UC Policy on Vaccination Programs
• How to upload vaccine proof

---

Exemption Request Process

The University of California allows for exemptions to these immunization requirements based only on a medical condition that is a contraindication to a vaccination or a sincerely held religious belief. Please only submit each form 1 time, pending exemptions may take up to 2 weeks to complete. Once submitted you will not see a copy.

Medical Exemption 

Step 1: Go to Health e-Messenger, Downloadable Forms, and download the "Immunization Medical Exemption Form." 

Step 2: To request a medical exemption, fill out the form with your medical provider, sign, upload the completed form, and click save. 

Medical Exemption Policy

Religious Exemption

Step 1: Go to Health e-Messenger, Downloadable Forms, and download the "Required Vaccination Religious Belief Exemption Form." 

Step 2: To request a religious belief exemption, fill out the form, upload the completed form and document date, and click save. 

---

Penalty for Non-Compliance

If you are living, studying, or coming to campus for any reason and don’t meet these requirements, you can’t attend classes. Please make these immunizations a high priority! Without them, an enrollment hold will be placed on your registration. 

---

COVID-19 and Flu Immunization

The UC Policy on Vaccination Programs has been updated to align with current CDC recommendations. Staying up to date with COVID-19 and Flu vaccination remains a critically important way to keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our community safe. 

COVID-19 Required Actions

Students are required to upload up to date COVID-19 records, or submit a declination form, stating the choice to opt out. To remain up-to-date, the CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older should get 1 dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19. 

Upload Your Up-to-Date COVID-19 Record and Date
1) Upload a copy of your immunization record on Health e-Messenger by clicking Medical Clearances.
2) Under COVID-19 Vaccine History; click Update to add the immunization and enter the date and type of immunization.

COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption
1) Go to Health e-Messenger; Medical Clearances; Clearance Exemptions (at the bottom of the page); Request an Exemption and choose COVID-19. 
2) Download and fill out the form called COVID-19 Declination.
3) Upload the form under Exemption Documentation; select COVID-19 Declination for the reason and hit submit.

---

Influenza Required Actions 
The University of California uniform policy requires yearly flu vaccination or declination for all UC students, trainees, personnel and all others who work, live, and/or learn in any of the University’s locations or otherwise participate in person in University Programs. 

Upload Your Flu Shot Record and Date - Students 
You need to have received your shot after 8/1/2024 for it to qualify for this year's Medical Clearance. Flu season occurs in the fall and winter each year. 
1) Upload a copy of your immunization record on Health e-Messenger by clicking Medical Clearances.
2) Under Influenza Vaccine History; click add immunization and enter the date and type of immunization.

Flu Vaccination Exemption
1) Go to Health e-Messenger; Medical Clearances; Clearance Exemptions (at the bottom of the page); Request an Exemption and choose Influenza.
2) Download and fill out the form called Influenza Declination.
3) Upload the form under Exemption Documentation; select Flu Declination for the reason and hit submit.

---

Get Started!

We recommend starting right away on meeting the vaccine requirements. Here’s what to do.

1. 1. Gather your vaccination records and compare them to the UC Immunization requirements.
   2. Using your UCSC Gold password, log in to Health e-Messenger at studenthealth.ucsc.edu.
   3. Go to Medical Clearances. View items marked Not Compliant under Items Required for Clearance. 
   4. See a healthcare provider to get any missing vaccinations.
      
   5. Upload your vaccine dates and vaccine card or record to Health e-Messenger’s Medical Clearances section. Always use Health e-Messenger. It's secure! We can’t accept records through email, fax, or mail.
   6. If you need help uploading, view our short video below.
      

Immunization-Related Enrollment Holds

If you are living on or coming to campus for any reason and don't meet the UC Immunization and Tuberculosis (TB) risk screening requirements, you will receive an enrollment hold.

Here's how to fix your enrollment hold. You'll also see a checklist in your MyUCSC Portal. The checklist has details on how to remove the hold. Learn how to use the checklist here.

If you have questions, contact us through Health e-Messenger. Select Messages, then New Messages, then Immunization - Required Immunizations and TB Risk Screening Questions.

Optional and Travel Immunizations

The Student Health Center offers several non-required vaccinations:

• Immunizations for students who are traveling internationally. See our Travel Immunization page for more details.
• Human Papillomavirus or "HPV" (Gardasil)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Japanese Encephalitis (Ixiaro)
• Meningococcal vaccines, including Meningococcal Group B (Bexsero). We strongly recommend Meningococcal Group B vaccinations for all students due to the severity of the disease.
• Pneumococcal vaccines
• Polio
• Rabies (RabAvert)
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap)
• Typhoid (Typhim Vi)
• Mpox (JYNNEOS)

Call our Appointment Line at 831-459-2500 to schedule any of these optional vaccinations. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get the immunizations?

You can get the required immunizations at:

• On campus at the Student Health Center or a special vaccine clinic. To schedule, log into Health e-Messenger with your CruzID and Gold password. Select "Appointments" in the left menu. Follow the prompts and choose "Immunizations" for the type of visit.
• A private healthcare provider.
• An off-campus pharmacy. UC SHIP students can go to any pharmacy that takes Optum pharmacy benefits, such as Safeway, Walgreens, and Riteaid. If you're referred to a CVS minute clinic then you need to schedule an appointment to get a referral from the SHC before you seek services at the CVS Minute Clinic.  

Where to get required and recommended vaccines »

Where can I get COVID-19 Vaccines?

See our COVID-19 Information page for the most up-to-date info about on-campus vaccine clinics and off-campus options. 

How much do the vaccines cost?

Most insurance plans, including UC SHIP, pay 100% for vaccination costs. If you choose to do a blood test (titer) to prove your immunity, you might have to pay part of the cost. The Student Health Center does not bill other insurance providers.

All students (including those with UC SHIP) can get mandatory and non-mandatory vaccines at Safeway, Walgreens, or Rite-aid. Be sure to upload your documentation after you get vaccinated.

Important note about off-campus vaccine costs: If you're referred to a CVS minute clinic then you need to schedule an appointment to get a referral from the SHC before you seek services at the CVS Minute Clinic.  

What if I don't have access to my immunization records?

If you think you’ve been vaccinated but don’t have records, you can get titers to determine your immunity. The test results will show if you are immune to specific diseases. Ask your healthcare provider about titers before you come to campus. The Student Health Center can do titers for students who can't access them before school starts. 

What if required vaccines aren't available in my country?

If you will remain outside the United States for the quarter and can’t get your required vaccinations, you will not get an enrollment hold. There will be a process in place when you arrive on campus. Please log in to log into Health e-Messenger with your Gold password. Select Messages, then New Message, then Immunization - Required Immunizations and TB Risk Screening Questions for assistance. 

How can I get a TB screening for an internship, volunteer position, or work-study job?

These situations have a special process. Don't use the process mentioned above for new students trying to meet mandatory TB requirements. Here's what to do instead:

• If you have UC SHIP, a TB blood test is 100% covered. Use Health e-Messenger to request a TB screening from the Student Health Center. Log into Health e-Messenger with your Gold password. Select Messages, then New Message, then TB Risk Assessment for Programs, Job requiring TB Clearance, Volunteering. Complete the form and click Send. We will review the form and send follow-up instructions via secure message within two weeks.
• If you don't have UC SHIP, ask your off-campus provider for a screening. The costs will depend on your insurance plan.