Immunizations

On This Page

• Policy Overview
• Get Started
• Immunization-Related Enrollment Holds
• Optional and Travel Immunizations
• FAQs
• Forms and Resources
• Questions

Policies Overview

1) COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

The UC Policy on Vaccination Programs applies to all Covered Individuals. A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as personnel or students under this policy who physically access a University Facility or program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training.

There are two parts to the compliance with the university’s updated policy: Primary Series and Booster Requirements. 

COVID-19 Primary Series Requirements 

The Primary Series will remain mandatory for all Covered Individuals, subject only to religious and medical/disability exceptions. There are limited exemptions for covered individuals. 

Students that do not submit proof or certification of vaccination or of a University-approved Exception will receive a registration hold. The deadline for meeting this requirement is before the first day of classes.

COVID-19 Booster Requirements

Covered Individuals will be required to certify or document that they are Up-To-Date or affirmatively decline the recommended boosters, if eligible, at least once each year. Those who choose to decline, must complete and submit a Vaccine Declination Statement that will include vaccine education.
Upload/Verify your COVID booster record and date

2) University of California Immunization and Screening Requirements

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) 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) Two doses with first dose on or after 1st birthday; OR positive titer (laboratory evidence of immunity to disease.)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox): Two doses with first dose on or after 1st birthday; OR positive titer. History of contracting the disease does not meet compliance.
• TdaP: One dose after age 7.
• Meningitis ACYW: One 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 
• Official policy
• How to upload vaccine proof

---

Medical Exemption Request Process:

Step 1: Go to Health e-Messenger, Downloadable Forms, choose "Immunization Medical Exemption Form - all required vaccines." 

Step 2: To request a medical exemption, download the Medical Exemption Form. Fill out the form with your medical provider, sign, and re-submit using the upload feature. 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.

The University of California allows for exemptions to these immunization requirements based only on a medical condition that is a contraindication to a vaccination. Please note: approved religious COVID-19 exemptions do not apply to the required vaccinations listed under the UC immunization policy. 

• Medical Exemption Policy

---

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. 

---

3) Flu Vaccination Fall 2022

The University of California issued an executive order on Oct. 8, 2021, requiring flu vaccination for all students, faculty, other academic appointees, and staff living, working, who will learn, live or work on-premises at a UC facility. There is now a uniform policy applicable to all covered individuals.

The best way to protect yourself and your community from influenza (flu) is to get a flu vaccine every flu season. Get your influenza vaccine right on the UCSC campus! Go to Health e-Messenger to make your appointment or call us at (831) 459-2500. Find a flu vaccine in your community. 

Upload Your Flu Shot Record & Date/Or Submit Declination Form

---

Students  
*If you got vaccinated on the UC Santa Cruz campus, your vaccine record is already on file.
You need to have received your shot after 8/1 each year for it to qualify for the year's Medical Clearance.
1) Upload a copy of your immunization record on Health e-Messenger by clicking Medical Clearances.
2) Go to Influenza and press the green update button. 
3) Under Influenza Vaccine History; click add immunization and enter the date and type of immunization. This is the spot where you should also upload a copy of your flu shot record. 
 
Flu Vaccination Declination
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 UCSC Student Declination of Influenza Vaccination.
3) Upload the completed form under Exemption Documentation; select Flu Declination for the reason and hit submit. 

---

Get Started!

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

1. Gather your vaccination records and compare them to the UC Immunization requirements (English version) (Mandarin version). 
2. See a healthcare provider to get any missing vaccinations.
3. 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. If you need help uploading, see: Detailed instructions or the videos below.
   

Immunization-Related Enrollment Holds

If you are living on or coming to campus for any reason and don't meet the UC-required 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, and Hepatitis A/Hepatitis B combination vaccine (Twinrix)
• 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, including Pneumovax (PPSV23)
• Polio
• Rabies
• Tetanus and diphtheria toxoid (TD)
• Typhoid (Typhim Vi)

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 can I get COVID-19 Vaccines?

See our COVID-19 vaccine 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.  

Where do I find my immunization records?

• All other required vaccinations: Click the image below for an example.

 

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.