UC Davis COVID-19 Vaccine Program

COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help end the pandemic

For the safety and well-being of the entire UC Davis community, the UC COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate requires, with few exceptions, that all students, faculty and staff be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Booster shots are also part of the UC Vaccine Policy, and UC Davis is now enforcing the systemwide mandate for booster shots for students, faculty and staff who are booster-eligible as of Jan. 31, 2022. Updated FAQs for students and FAQs for employees are also available.

Our campus vaccination rates are updated weekly on the UC Davis COVID-19 Dashboard. Below are instructions for how to report your vaccination information and UC Davis vaccine FAQs. Unvaccinated employees and students can find more information about seeking an exception to the vaccine mandate.

All UC Davis employees and students (over the age of 12) are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in California. Find a vaccine appointment via My Turn or the new national database Vaccines.gov.

Vaccine clinic on campus

UC Davis students can schedule free appointments for Pfizer vaccinations and booster shots at the Student Health and Wellness Center through the Health-e-Messaging portal. Please remember to bring your personal identification and proof of prior immunization (either physical or digital vaccination card, if receiving a booster) to your appointment.

Employees and community members can also find free vaccinations at multiple clinic locations in Yolo County, including options found on the My Turn website or the new national database Vaccines.gov.

Boosters are required

The CDC has expanded its recommendation on COVID-19 boosters for all individuals who are 18 years and older. According to the CDC, the recent emergence of the omicron variant, and the early indication of its increased transmissibility, further underscores the importance of vaccination and boosters to protect us from COVID-19.

Campus will be enforcing a systemwide mandate for a booster vaccine for all faculty/academics, staff, and students who do not have a vaccine exemption currently in place. No later than Jan. 31, every booster-eligible member of the campus community must upload proof that they have obtained a vaccination booster in Health-e-Messaging. It is critical that we maintain the strong vaccination protection we have achieved with our 98% campus community vaccination rate.

When should I get a booster, and which one?

Please review the current CDC guidance for booster shots for individuals who received the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC also provides guidance for individuals who were vaccinated outside of the United States.

How do I report my booster vaccine in Health-e-Messaging?

Once you receive your booster shot, you can provide this information in Health-e-Messaging by clicking on the "Enter My COVID-19 Vaccination Information" button on the home screen.

View the step-by-step guide for Reporting your Booster Shot

For additional FAQs on the booster requirement, please visit the Winter Quarter Guidance page.

Report your vaccine information

Not sure if you've successfully reported your vaccine information? Here's how to check whether you are currently compliant with the UC Vaccine Mandate:

View the step-by-step guide for Vaccine Verification and Upload

To comply with the vaccine mandate, all UC Davis students and employees will need to:

If you are fully vaccinated...
Verify your vaccination status in Health-e-Messaging via one of these options:

>> If you were vaccinated in California: Sign an authorization form to provide access to your vaccine status via the California Immunization Registry database (CAIR2). To sign this authorization form, log in to Health-e-Messaging. In the left-side menu, click on Medical Clearances, find “COVID-19 Vaccine Verification Authorization” and then click “Update” to read the authorization form, sign your name and submit the final form. If you were vaccinated within California, this option will allow campus to verify your vaccine status, so you will not need to self-report your vaccine information with date(s) and vaccine card images. Once your information is verified, you should see "COVID-19 Vaccine and Test" marked as Compliant in the “Medical Clearances” section of Health-e-Messaging.

>> If you were vaccinated inside or outside of California: Self-report your vaccine information by logging into Health-e-Messaging and clicking on the blue button on the homepage to “Enter My COVID-19 Vaccination Information.” Enter your vaccine type and date(s), and upload images of your vaccine card (front and back). Your self-reported information will be manually verified. (If you have already submitted this information, then you should see "COVID-19 Vaccine and Test" marked as Compliant in the “Medical Clearances” section of Health-e-Messaging.)

>> If you are living outside of the United States: Any of the vaccines that have been authorized by the World Health Organization can be entered into your Health-e-Messaging records to meet the university’s vaccine mandate requirements, using the instructions above to self-report your vaccine information. Current WHO-authorized vaccines include: Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), AstraZeneca, Covaxin, Covishield, Sinopharm and Sinovac. (Novavax clinical trial participants who participated long enough in the trial to receive a CDC vaccine card will also be able to present that card as proof of initial compliance with the policy, though boosters may later be required.)

Please allow up to 48 hours for your information to become verified. Once your information is verified, then you should see your COVID-19 vaccination status marked “Compliant” in the “Medical Clearances” section of Health-e-Messaging. If you have followed these instructions and continue to be notified that your vaccine record is missing, please contact covid@shcs.ucdavis.edu for further troubleshooting.

UC Davis employees and students who have verified that they are fully vaccinated may be required to wear a face covering in fewer settings — see updates to our current public health policies for further details.
If you are unvaccinated...
Find more information on our Exceptions page for details on how to comply with the vaccine mandate. Basically, you will need to either:

>> Get fully vaccinated. Plan ahead with our vaccine timeline as becoming fully vaccinated takes 2-6 weeks. Once you are vaccinated, follow directions above to report your vaccine information to Health-e-Messaging.

>> Or else seek and secure an approved exception, whether medical exemption, religious exception, disability accommodation or pregnancy deferral. To begin the exception process, log into Health e-Messaging and in the left-side menu, click on “Messages” and then “New Message.” Select “Request COVID Vaccine Policy Exception or Deferral” and follow the instructions carefully. The mandate requires compliance two weeks before the beginning of fall term, which is Sept. 8 at UC Davis. Those with approved exceptions, exemptions or deferrals may continue in-person activities with the expectation that they will get tested every four days and wear a face covering indoors and also outdoors in crowded settings.

FAQs

NEW: I already got my booster. Why don’t you have my booster information?
If you have received a pink result on the Daily Symptom Survey, then our records indicate that you are eligible for a booster shot, but we do not have a record of you receiving a booster.

First step: Please carefully follow these updated instructions to report your booster shot in Health-e-Messaging.

Some potential troubleshooting tips we have found useful for reporting booster shots:

> If you only uploaded a card and did not enter the date(s) and manufacturer, then you need to finish reporting this information before you can be marked as compliant.

> If you previously chose to sign the “COVID-19 Vaccine Verification Authorization,” it is possible that your records in the California Immunization Record are incomplete or are not entering our system correctly. Please try following the directions above to enter the date of your booster shot and uploading images of your vaccination card instead. Or contact covid@shcs.ucdavis.edu for further troubleshooting.

> If the dates you entered are closer in time than the recommended time between doses, then your information will not be approved. Double check the dates on your record as it is easy to type in the wrong date.

> If the dates you entered are not formatted as MM/DD/YYYY, then you will need to adjust your browser settings to English and re-enter your dates.

> If you were vaccinated via UC Davis Health or the UC Davis Medical Center, you will still need to report your vaccination information to the Health-e-Messaging portal. The only vaccinations that are pre-loaded in the Health-e-Messaging portal are those that took place at the UC Davis ARC vaccine clinic or the UC Davis Student Health and Wellness Center. Vaccinations from any other clinic or location will need to be reported by following the directions on this webpage, under “Report your vaccine information.” (Feb. 11, 2022)
NEW: Where can I get a booster?
Students can schedule a booster appointment Monday-Friday at the Student Health and Wellness Center via Health-e-Messaging. Employees and students can find booster vaccine appointments in the Davis area by searching both My Turn and Vaccines.gov. In addition, many retail and grocery stores with pharmacies and local pharmacies also provide scheduling systems directly on their website. You may also be able to get your booster shot at your doctor’s office, urgent care centers and local hospitals. (Feb. 11, 2022)
UPDATED: I am fully vaccinated. Why don’t you have my vaccine record?
Here are some potential troubleshooting tips if you have been fully vaccinated, but are still being prompted to report you vaccination information:

> If you were vaccinated via UC Davis Health or the UC Davis Medical Center, you will still need to report your vaccination information to the Health-e-Messaging portal. The only vaccinations that are pre-loaded in the Health-e-Messaging portal are those that took place at the UC Davis ARC vaccine clinic. Vaccinations from any other clinic or location will need to be reported by following the directions on this webpage, under “Report your vaccine information.”

> If you were vaccinated outside of California, you will need to enter your vaccine manufacturer, date(s) of injection(s) and upload images of your vaccination card.

> If you already entered dates and uploaded images of your vaccination card, please contact covid@shcs.ucdavis.edu with details about your record for further troubleshooting.

> If you were vaccinated within California, and chose to sign the “COVID-19 Vaccine Verification Authorization,” it is possible that your records in the California Immunization Record are incomplete or are not entering our system correctly. Please try entering your dates and uploading images of your vaccination card instead or contact covid@shcs.ucdavis.edu for further troubleshooting.

> If you only uploaded a card and did not enter the date(s) and manufacturer, then you need to finish reporting this information before you can be marked as compliant.

> If you have entered “Other Cov-19” as the manufacturer, your information will not be automatically approved (only the vaccines that are listed by name).

> If the dates you entered are closer in time than the recommended time between doses, then your information will not be approved. Double check the dates on your record as it is easy to type in the wrong date.

> If the dates you entered are not formatted as MM/DD/YYYY, then you will need to adjust your browser settings to English and re-enter your dates.

> If you received doses of two different types of vaccine, then you will not be marked as compliant.

Please check the step-by-step guide to check your compliance and upload your vaccine information, for further details.

(Updated Aug. 20, 2021)
UPDATED: Will UC Davis employees receive paid time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes, non-exempt employees and hourly academic appointees of UC Davis may request a reasonable amount of paid release time to obtain each dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Employees and appointees must provide advance notice to their supervisor. If an employee or appointee needs more time for this purpose, they may request Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) (Reason 3(d)) for the additional time. Please see COVID-19 leave updates for more details. (Updated July 16, 2021)
UPDATED: Can UC Davis employees use special COVID-19 leave if they get sick from side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
If an employee who has Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) available gets the COVID-19 vaccine and feels sick from side effects of the vaccine and is unable to work for that reason, the employee would be able to use EPSL for their recovery that time. If an employee has exhausted EPSL or opts not to use it, the employee would be able to use accrued sick leave, vacation leave and/or PTO.

UC Expanded Paid Administrative Leave (EPAL) expired as of June 30, but could also be applied in this way before it expired. Please see COVID-19 leave updates for more details. (Updated July 16, 2021)
Which vaccines are approved to meet the UC requirement?
Any of the vaccines that have been authorized by the World Health Organization can be entered into your Health-e-Messaging records to meet the university’s vaccine mandate requirements. The university will accept any FDA- or WHO-authorized vaccine as fulfilling the mandate. Current WHO-authorized vaccines include: Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), AstraZeneca, Covishield, Sinopharm and Sinovac. Novavax clinical trial participants who participated long enough in the trial to receive a CDC vaccine card will also be able to present that card as proof of initial compliance with the policy, though boosters may later be required.
Can my employer request my vaccine status?
The California Department of Public Health allows university representatives to verify that someone is vaccinated as a way to ensure compliance with face covering requirements.

In addition, the latest adoption by CalOSHA of Section 3205 includes the requirement for unvaccinated employees to wear a face covering inside. In order to comply with Cal/OSHA workplace environments, employers are required to know vaccinated status of their employees.

To do this, rather than asking to see someone’s vaccine card, please ask to view their Daily Symptom Survey results. Remember, a purple approval means face coverings are required indoors and outdoors in crowded spaces. A green approval means face coverings are optional. (July 2, 2021)
Can a student or employee choose not to be vaccinated?
To be compliant with University of California policy, students and employees will need to either be fully vaccinated or else secure an approved exception (on medical, disability or religious grounds) or deferral (based on pregnancy). See more details and FAQs in the UC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy. (Aug. 2, 2021)
UPDATED: Can I wait until the vaccines have full FDA approval before getting vaccinated to meet the UC vaccine mandate?
The UC COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate issued on July 15 requires compliance two weeks before the beginning of fall term (September 8). For the safety and well-being of the entire university community, the policy will require, with few exceptions, that all students, faculty and staff be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus before they will be allowed on campus or in a facility or office. All vaccines approved by the FDA based on emergency use authorization — or full approval by the FDA, as expected in coming months — will satisfy the vaccine requirement.

Here is a statement on this issue from UC Health Communications Director Michael Crawford that was provided to news media in June, in part:

“As expected, this policy has evolved since the original proposal shared on April 22 designed to encourage and incorporate community input. Over the past several weeks, UC has been consulting with chancellors, Academic Senate representatives, UC Health leaders and other university stakeholders on the proposed policy.

“Based on that feedback and additional medical studies on the efficacy of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, the policy being finalized, would be implemented immediately and allow for the use of vaccines currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under emergency use authorization (EUA). This furthers alignment with UC’s already vocal encouragement of students, faculty, academic appointees and staff to voluntarily obtain a vaccination as soon as they were eligible.” (Updated July 16, 2021)
I’ve signed the authorization form for the California Immunization Registry, but my Daily Symptom Survey keeps requiring me to get tested. What’s wrong?
Only people who were vaccinated in California are included in the California Immunization Registry, so if you were vaccinated outside of the state then you will need to enter your information and upload images of your vaccination card. If you were vaccinated within California, then please make sure to wait at least 48 hours to ensure the system has pulled your information. If after 48 hours it is still not working, then please email loginproblems@shcs.ucdavis.edu. (July 2, 2021)
As an international student or scholar, can I receive a vaccine when I arrive in California?
Several U.S. airports are now offering COVID-19 vaccines (primarily Johnson & Johnson) at the airport upon arrival. At this time, these are walk-in clinics and do not require an appointment. Insurance is also not required, and the vaccination is free of cost. Here is information from some airports in California:
> LAX – Los Angeles
> SNA - Orange County
> SFO – San Francisco
If you want to receive the vaccine when you arrive in California, people ages 12 and older can receive the vaccine in California. Find information from My Turn, the new national database Vaccines.gov, or from Student Health and Counseling Services about how to sign up. (July 2, 2021)
I am an international student who received my first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine abroad, but can I get my second shot of Pfizer or Moderna in the United States to meet the UC vaccine requirement?
The CDC advises that people who were vaccinated outside of the United States and have not received all the recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine listed for emergency use must receive a complete FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine series (i.e., two doses of Pfizer or Moderna; or one dose of Johnson & Johnson).

People who were vaccinated outside of the United States and received all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine that is listed for emergency use by WHO do not need any additional doses with an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine. These vaccines can also be reported and verified in Health-e-Messaging to meet the UC vaccine mandate. (July 2, 2021)
I am currently experiencing symptoms, am ill, or have a medical question about getting the vaccine.
Contact your Primary Care Provider for guidance
UPDATED: How do I schedule my vaccination appointment?
UC Davis students can get the Pfizer vaccine or booster via a free appointment through the Health-e-Messaging portal.

If you are having a hard time finding an appointment at the campus clinic for your preferred time, there are also free, walk-in vaccinations available at multiple clinic locations in Yolo county, including those in partnership with Healthy Davis Together. More appointments can be found on the My Turn website or the new national database Vaccines.gov. (Updated Dec. 3, 2021)
I am having trouble scheduling though My Turn.
Visit the My Turn FAQ page: https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/#Questions-and-answers
Call the My Turn hotline: 833-422-4255
What can I expect when I arrive for my vaccine appointment?
Be prepared to show personal identification at the time of your appointment. You will also need to do your part to follow campus safety rules, including passing the daily symptom survey, wearing a face covering and maintaining physical distance.

When you arrive for your appointment, if you haven't completed an electronic consent form, then you'll be asked to review and sign one. Next, you'll move into the room, take a number and then wait to be called. When your number is called, you'll move to the vaccine station and be given your shot. Then you'll be seated for 15-30 minutes and monitored for any adverse reactions, depending on your risk factors. At the end of your wait period, you are allowed to leave. More instructions about scheduling your second dose of the vaccine will be provided at your appointment. After you leave, your seat will be disinfected for the next person.
Are UC Davis students eligible to get vaccinated?
Yes! As of May 12, all Californians 12 years of age or older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Please see the state's current vaccine eligibility guidance for further details.
UPDATED: Will UC Davis employees and students be mandated to get a coronavirus vaccine?
Per the UC COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate, policy requires, with few exceptions, that all students, faculty and staff be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus before they will be allowed on campus or in a facility or office. Individuals will be required to show proof of vaccination, and UC locations are preparing for how they will record individual vaccination status.

The policy will allow for medical exemptions consistent with CDC guidance and manufacturer labeling on contraindications and precautions. As with other policies, and, in the case of employees as required by federal and California law, faculty, staff and students will also be eligible to request accommodations based on disability or religious exceptions based on sincerely held belief, and deferrals are available for those who are pregnant.

Those with approved exemptions, exceptions, or deferrals may return to their location with the expectation that they will remain masked in all public settings, and comply with the local testing plan.

Employees who choose not to be vaccinated, and have no approved exemption, accommodation or deferral, potentially put others’ health at risk and may face disciplinary actions. (Updated July 16, 2021)
What are the benefits of getting vaccinated?
COVID-19 vaccines are meant to prevent you from getting ill from COVID-19. The ability of COVID-19 vaccines to protect us from spreading the virus to others is not yet known but is being studied carefully. Read more at CDC’s Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine.
I’m having symptoms because of the vaccine, should I go to work?
Symptoms can develop because of an adverse reaction to the vaccine, but they can also develop because of an infection from the virus. Campus policy and best public health practices require you to stay home when feeling any symptoms. You must answer the Daily Symptom Survey by reporting your symptoms. You may return to work after symptoms resolve from taking the vaccine. For essential healthcare workers, you may return to work earlier if you secure a return to work slip from your primary care physician.
What can I expect after vaccination?
After vaccination, it will be essential for everyone to continue to wear face coverings, maintain physical distance and practice good hand hygiene to help continue to keep our community healthy. There is not enough information currently available to say if or when CDC will stop recommending that people wear masks and avoid close contact with others to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, even after receiving the vaccine.

Regular testing is a step we should all be taking to keep ourselves, our families and our community healthy, both before and after receiving vaccinations. It is critical that everyone participate in the UC Davis Campus Ready testing program to help quickly identify people who are infected. UC Davis students and employees are eligible for free testing through Campus Ready, and Davis community members and family members of UC Davis employees are eligible for free testing through Healthy Davis Together.
I had my vaccination on campus lost my Vaccination Card or my card looks incorrect.
Please call (530) 752-6125.