All UC Davis students, academics and staff must comply with the UC COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate.
Students and employees have two main ways to be compliant:
- Keep your vaccine status current. Every eligible individual is expected to get their booster shot by Jan. 31, 2022, unless they hold an exception. 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. Once you are boosted, report your vaccine information to Health-e-Messaging.
- Or request and secure an approved exception (based on medical, religious or disability grounds) or a deferral based on pregnancy.
Those with approved exemptions, exceptions or deferrals may continue in-person activities.
Begin the exception process
Students and employees begin the exception process by logging into Health e-Messaging:
- 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.
Students: View this step-by-step process with screenshots
Employees: View this step-by-step process with screenshots
The next steps for students and employees are slightly different, and will also depend on whether you are seeking a medical exemption, a religious exception, a pregnancy deferral or a disability accommodation.
Employee exception process
Faculty, academic and staff members must begin the exception process by logging into Health-e-Messaging using the instructions above. Employees must identify which type of exception they are seeking and their contact information.
After submitting your request, you will be provided instructions for completing paperwork, which will be reviewed in accordance with UC COVID Vaccine Policy.
If exception is approved: Once the exception is approved, the employee will be provided a form to sign and return, and their vaccine record will be updated accordingly in Health-e-Messaging.
If an exception is not approved: An exception request will have multiple reviews before it is denied. Once denied, an employee will need to get vaccinated to be in compliance with policy.
Student exception process
Undergraduate, graduate and professional school students (including student employees) must begin the process by logging into Health-e-Messaging using the instructions above. Please note that the exception processes for UC Davis students in the School of Medicine and Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing are being finalized.
From Health-e-Messaging, the students will be able to download the appropriate form for their type of exception.
Religious exceptions: The student must complete the Religious Exception Form and email it to studentreligiousexception@ucdavis.edu.
View flowchart of Student Religious Exception Process
Medical exceptions or pregnancy deferral: The student must complete the appropriate form, with medical provider signature (MD, DO, NP or PA), and submit it back in Health-e-Messaging messages.
View flowchart of Student Medical Exception Process
If the exception is approved: The student's vaccine record will be automatically updated in Health-e-Messaging.
If the exception is denied: Once denied, a student will need to get vaccinated to be in compliance with policy.
Disability accommodation
Employees who believe they need other accommodations should work with Disability Management Services.
Students with personal health issues who cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine or who have other medical reasons affecting their ability to be present on campus in the fall should contact the Student Disability Center to discuss possible accommodations.