Vaccination policy update

July 27, 2021
Human Resources
July 27, 2021

As announced last week, the UC Office of the President released the final COVID-19 vaccination policy. Faculty, staff and students can submit their proof of vaccine via the Employee Vaccine Tracking and the Student Portal. Proof of vaccination or request for an exemption/deferral must be submitted by August 16, 2021. 

 

The final SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Policy was launched in order to support the health and wellbeing of the entire campus community, and requires faculty, staff and students to provide proof of vaccination or to request an exception based on medical, disability, or religious grounds or deferral during pregnancy, prior to the start of fall instruction.

 

All student employees, including graduate student employees, need to follow the “student” process and not the “faculty and staff” process. Post docs follow the faculty and staff process. 

  • Faculty and staff can submit their proof of vaccination or initiate a request for exception by clicking here.
    • For faculty and staff, campus has engaged Sedgwick as the third-party administrator to support the administration, review and processing of the employee exception process. Since UCR is using Sedgwick, faculty and staff will not be uploading and submitting forms to UCR but will note their interest in an exception request via the link noted above. Faculty and staff will receive the forms and requirement for an exception from Sedgwick, and then submit the form directly to Sedgwick.
  • Students can access the form online to initiate an exception or deferral request. The form is active to accept requests.

 Those with pending and approved exceptions, accommodations or deferrals may return to their location with the expectation they comply with applicable Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) as a condition of their Physical Presence at any University Location/Facility or Program. This includes, but is not limited to, completing the Daily Wellness Survey; wearing a face-covering indoors and in any UCR vehicles; submitting to weekly COVID-19 testing; and it is highly recommended to wear a face-covering outdoors when six feet of physical distancing cannot be maintained. NPIs may change over time.

 

If an individual’s request for exception is denied, they have 14 calendar days to submit proof they have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose and 8 weeks from the denial date to provide proof they are fully vaccinated. During this time period they must comply with aforementioned NPIs. 

 

Individuals who choose not to be vaccinated, and have no approved exception, accommodation or deferral, potentially put others’ health at risk and may be subject to corrective action/disciplinary process outlined in the policy.

 

For questions about the vaccination policy and/or exception process:

  • Faculty, staff and students can contact COVID19@medsch.ucr.edu or call the UCR COVID-19 Wellness Hotline 1-844-827-6827, option #2.

More information can be found at:

Please continue to stay safe, take care of yourself and loved ones, and thank you for your partnership in helping to keep our community healthy.