By Michael Burke – EdSource
Students, faculty and staff across the University of California this fall will be required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to access campuses, the system’s president said.
The requirement marks a reversal from April, when UC was planning to require the vaccines only if one of the existing vaccines received full approval from the U.S, Food and Drug Administration, which has not yet occurred.
UC announced in June that it planned to require the vaccines without FDA approval but did not explain why it was reversing its earlier policy.
In a letter announcing the final policy change to the chancellors of UC’s 10 campuses, UC’s systemwide president, Michael Drake, said the final policy is the result of “consultation with UC infectious disease experts and ongoing review of evidence from medical studies concerning the dangerousness of COVID-19 and emerging variants of concern.”
Under UC’s policy, students and staff must show proof of vaccination two weeks before the start of the fall term, or earlier. For UC Berkeley and UC Merced, the fall semester begins in August. The other seven UC undergraduate campuses are on the quarter system and begin their fall terms in September.
For staff who work at UC locations that don’t follow an academic calendar, such as the system’s president’s office, proof of vaccination will be required by Sept. 1. The policy allows for religious, medical and disability exceptions.
The vaccines will be required for students, faculty and staff who want to access both campus facilities and off-site UC programs, such as study abroad and athletics programs.
Fueled by the highly infectious delta variant, coronavirus cases have risen in recent weeks in California.
“Vaccination is by far the most effective way to prevent severe disease and death after exposure to the virus and to reduce spread of the disease to those who are not able, or not yet eligible, to receive the vaccine,” Drake wrote in the letter. UC officials were not immediately made available to elaborate further on the reversal.
UC students, faculty and staff can receive any of the vaccines that have been approved for emergency use in the United States — the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The university will also accept international vaccines that have been authorized by the World Health Organization, such as the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. That could make it easier for international students who don’t have access to one of the U.S. vaccines.
California’s other public university system, the 23-campus California State University, is still planning to wait for full FDA approval of one of the existing vaccines before requiring them, spokesman Mike Uhlenkamp told EdSource on Thursday.
At the state’s system of 115 in-person community colleges, the statewide chancellor’s office is leaving decisions regarding vaccine requirements to the local college leaders. Many districts, including the Los Angeles and San Diego districts, plan to require vaccines but only after FDA approval.
It’s not clear whether any of the existing vaccines will get full approval from the FDA before the fall term begins.
The differing approaches in California mirror the split that is occurring across the country, with many universities moving ahead with vaccine requirements immediately while others wait for full approval.
The American Council on Education, a trade group that represents college presidents, has advised presidents that institutions appear to have the legal right to require vaccines even under an emergency use authorization as long as they allow for medical and religious exemptions.
52 comments
If it gets them back into classes and normal life without shutdowns. Then I am all for it. Now what about the ones that are allergic to certain things in the vaccine? Will they not be able to attend still?
Oh ya. And before the certain people that say “But my rights, But my freedom. But my immune system, But the heart conditions that it has caused, But the people who have died from vaccine shots,” I love how you only try to pick 1 side of it. You want to complain about a few 1000 that have died “Not proven it was cause of the vaccine” and a few 1000 that had the heart condition “But after a few months over 90% went to normal” but you don’t want to complain how Covid killed over 4 million. Over 191 million infected. But in the Vaccines you have over 300 million FULLY vaccinated and about 10k cases of possible issues. I would take those numbers any day.
I got fully vaccinated and only had a little bit of a sore arm. I even still wear a mask but to protect me but because if I still do catch it. I won’t miss any work and I can help more elderly people. I get some on here are heartless “Oh you’re fine take off your mask it’s a Hoax, It’s the govenrment.” Sorry but you’re heartless if all you think is it not affecting you.
Oh the complacency of your rhetoric…it’s quite entertaining!
Lol. That is so sweet you think that it killed 4 million. Do you people still not realize what was counted as “killed by” COVID? Even the CDC admitted to flubbing the number! It is more like “died with” COVID, but being killed by something else. The masses of liberals are so ill-informed.
@Oh, Please
Take a second as research what was counted as a death. CDC stated that deaths were NOT counted by anything besides covid killing them. They were NOT counted from car crashes, Cancer and others. Dr Fauci stated this a number of times. Covid was put on the record as they HAD covid but was not cause of death. They actually have numbers for different deaths but also having Covid but not death from Covid. And yes, 4 million. You do understand that 4 million which is reported is on the low side. Here is why
CDC “Dr Fauci and a number of other Doctors and scientist” Even stated that this is on the low side because so many people who died in other countries could not get tested, Were not able to get to a doctors office. Were not reported in the numbers because they just couldn’t get there. This was clearly stated from US, India, China and Italy. People were dying at home and being buried without a cause of death. I am not going to change numbers saying 5 million, 10 million or anything. I am going off the numbers that have been reported.
Stop with the false info. Please look up the CDC numbers. Look up with CDC actually says. Stop with the Fake Fox info
Keep taking that booster shot year after year and then come back and tell us how you are doing. That’s easy for you to say if you don’t have a relative who died from vaccination or serious side effects. There’s nothing from the CDC, WHO or the other health organizations to promote healthy nutrition and a healthy body weight to ward of the top pre existing conditions of obesity, hearty disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and diabetes. Take your vaccine and you’ll be safe. Forget about the killers per the CDC heart disease and cancer the two top killers of Americans. Over 50% of all cancers linked to obesity too. Now go eat that super size cheese burger and fries and put on a few more pounds.
@Me
I am not sure if you are aware that Alameda County recently revised their COVID-19 death count down by 25%. Santa Clara County also recently dropped their death toll by 22%. It is happening in several counties. There are numerous articles about it online (ABC news, so forth) if you want to research for yourself.
@FYI
I am happy they did that but, I did write this in another post. Just didn’t write it in this one. CDC, States and Doctors stated that there were so many more deaths that were NOT counted as a lot of people could not make it to doctors to get tested. They were projecting “I get it’s only a projection” that 4 million is only half to even a 3rd of people that actually died. A few 1000 people they took off the list doesn’t take away OVER 4 million is still estimated to have been lost. I did do research or I wouldn’t have posted what I did. This is coming from CDC, DR Fauci and the States not to mention all the other countries.
@Me if you are stating facts and say you are doing resurch, what are your sources?
@me
Do you even hear yourself? The level of hoops you need to jump through to believe this narrative is astounding. You can fool yourself all you want, but the truth and the facts dictate reality. You sound like you’re desperate to not be wrong. Your ego is larger than Donald Trumps. You have personal issues that you should deal with before coming here telling others what to believe. And you definitely shouldn’t be giving medical advice and propagating misinformation. When you can acknowledge the basic facts surrounding this crime against humanity, then you will be taken seriously. Until then go sit in a corner with your ball gag strapped to your mouth.
@Me, 4 million against the total world population is still around 0.05%. IOW, the fact that one has over a 99% chance of surviving stands as always. Perhaps it isn’t college you need but remedial 4th grade math. 😀
So if we were talking about abortion, my body my choice still applies, right?
@ Sam – you should take your own advice
@a
Sounds like you are triggered by my first amendment rights. Sucks for you. Your feelings don’t excuse people giving medical advice and misinformation on a message board. Or is it the ball gag that got you interested? Sick
Sam you’re talking about a private message board. I cannot see how that would relate to the First Amendment. As a matter of fact this board does exclude quite a bit of messages, but that’s fine it is here to make money and it is quite clear that the board made a business decision to cater to a certain crowd.
Note to self: Using certain words or phrases, no matter the context, triggers the shills to respond.
This is 100% proof they are coming for your rights. Just the mere mention of the first amendment and boom here’s this clown trying to make a point about something totally unrelated.
Amendment 1
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
I really like the word “abridging”. It’s a fun word. I like this game.
Excellent! Last paragraph says it all.
What?? This is stupid. They’re forcing you to get a vaccine. It should be OPTIONAL. This is so dumb. I’m still not getting it.
Say hello to Delta for me @Jason!🤣
@Jason
Nothing to get it’s a clear power grab, they are not following science just making rules as they go.
Students, faculty, and staff do have OPTIONS:
1. Get vaccinated or qualify for a medical or religious exemption; or
2. Students can choose to not attend UC and employees can choose to not work for UC if they don’t want to be vaccinated.
@Jason
Really? Did you just say this is stupid? Here’s some info.
Immunizations required to enter Child Care (depends on age when enrolling):
Polio
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP)
Haemophilus influenzae type b
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
Hepatitis B
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Immunizations required to enter Kindergarten:
Polio
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP)
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
Hepatitis B
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Immunizations required to enter 7th grade:
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster (Tdap)
Varicella (Chickenpox)
This is required by ALL STATES. So adding 1 more is not a issue.
All of those vaccines listed above are fully approved by the FDA and certified as safe. None of the vaccines developed for COVID-19 are FULLY certified and only have Emergency Use Authorization.
That means that they are still experimental and you can not force anyone to take one.
I am vaccinated, but I understand the risks of taking an experimental drug. The vast majority of people do not fully understand how these vaccines work, nor do they understand the federal laws and international treaties regarding forcing people to take experimental drugs or vaccines.
Nothing is required. They just act like it is. Don’t fall for the fake “requirements” it’s all fake.
@Me.
The list of requiring vaccines you posted is for k-7 and this is about College. It’s expected that younger kids will be expected to be vaccinated since they are constantly “sharing germs” and currently those same kids are not being required to get this Covid vaccine. These are college students being discussed here and the UCs seem to be contradicting their different arguments.
@Sam
Those are required. Please just look it up. You know what. Here, I will do what you need to do before you ever post. https://cchealth.org/immunization/school-requirements.php
I did write it incorrect saying that that list is for all states. That list is for here but I did write part of it incorrect. All fifty states in the U.S. mandate immunizations for children in order to enroll in public school, but the specific vaccines required differ from state to state, and various exemptions are available depending on state law. All states have exemptions for people who have medical contraindications to vaccine. Would be nice if for once you just look up the right information.
@PH_Dad
I know that those are FDA approved. Didn’t Pfizer apply for full FDA approval? If it does get full FDA approve. Then I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s added.
@PESFG
I get they are for up to 7th grade but in away. They are pretty much required all the way up through high school if you think about it. Unless you skip all grades until 8th grade. You would have needed to be vaccinated anyways.
@Me~Jason’s concerns are valid according to FDA website : “FDA must ensure that recipients of the vaccine under an EUA are informed, to the extent practicable given the applicable circumstances, that FDA has authorized the emergency use of the vaccine, of the known and potential benefits and risks, the extent to which such benefits and risks are unknown, that they have the option to accept or refuse the vaccine, and of any available alternatives to the product.”
So, adding this experimental vaccine into his body is an issue…
All the “research” around COVID HOAX is being conducted by j&j an pfyzer. Anthony Fauci and bill gates own moderna. If you don’t understand this, you are hopeless. Following the money never fails. It’s like monsanto telling you it’s safe to drink their pesticide (which they did) or doctor’s recommending cigarette smoking (which they did). Time to wake up to the reality that money rules the world and you’ve been played…again
Is the UC response for any reaction I may get? Can I sue them?
I know of people with fake vaccination cards already as their companies required it, and know several people who have fake cards for other reasons as well.
Herd immunity will never happen no matter what they try.
Wonderful! This is not good.
Where do I find these people selling fake cards? For research purposes of course 😅
This is in lieu of SAT exams.
It certainly illustrates their preference for obedient students.
That’s exactly what “herd” means🤣🤣🤣 And they wonder why we call them sheep. Their not very bright
Their not very bright? Ya can’t make this stuff up.🤣🤣🤣
You got me. Like the old meme with the guy holding the sign that says “Get a brain morans”. It doesn’t happen often. You get the point.
Big law suit on the horizon when people drop dead from the vaccine or have health issues in months to come due to the toxic injections, that have not proven to work better than hand washing.
Vaccine manufacturers have had immunity since the 80’s.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! 😱
popcorn didn’t see it on TV, therefore it did not happen.
But Aunt Barbara didn’t you already sue them? I understand that the UC uses gas powered leaf blowers and how many have dropped dead or have health issues from that?
BTW Mitch McConnell, Sean Hanity Steve Scalise all are now urging people to get vaccinated.
This is what Mitch McConnell said:
“These shots need to get in everybody’s arm as rapidly as possible or we’re going to be back in a situation in the fall… that we were in last year.”
To date, Nobody has demonstrated that government gives two sh!ts about anyone.
Furthermore, I don’t care what government grifter is begging people to get it. My body, My choice.
End of discussion.
Here comes the Totalitarian tiptoe…
I don’t know what everyone is complaining about.
The majority of the voters voted for this form of totalitarian government.
The majority rules and so does the Dominion Computer Company.
“… as long as they allow for medical… exemptions” and “ The policy allows for religious, medical and disability exceptions“ So, these are two contradictory statements. On one hand they are forcing aka requiring students to get the vaccine yet allowing for medical exemptions…hmmm. Requiring students and employees to get the vaccine in order to enroll or work voids the policy of medical exemptions. Sounds like they are leaving the door open for potential lawsuits.
I don’t quite follow. Here is am excerpt from a staff update:
— 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 belief, and deferrals are available for those who are pregnant.
— Those with approved exemptions, accommodations 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.
I work for UC, at the systemwide office, and I think it was a big mistake for leadership to backtrack on their initial April announcement that they’d wait for FDA approval before mandating the vaccine. I know many staff were simply waiting for FDA approval and were planning to continue to successfully work remotely until then. Instead, staff only found out about this reversal via the media a day after an update was sent to employees. People were confused, thinking the update about the mandate was only after FDA approval and some people thought this memo simply forgot to include that detail. Nope, we learned the next day after reading it in the paper. So, this opaque move felt shifty and has added a lot of distrust and rancor at a time when leadership is also discussing how/when people will return to the office. The flu vaccine will also be mandatory (that may cause more of a stir than the COVID vaccine mandate). We will see what happens.
That is confusing but a wise move in my opinion. I hope other businesses, hospitals and colleges will follow the vaccine mandate. Especially with all the various variants popping up. I am so done with the anti-vaxxers! I have family members that are playing that game. It is so tragic and dumb to not get vaccinated. Ugh. People say to me that is their personal choice! I say it is not because it effects all of us who can pick up this monster disease.
My company (>5000 folks) is not mandating it but they are segregating people based on vaccination status. Yeah, great … a science based company is separating us based on whether or not we took a EUA only approved vaccine for a virus that is not as deadly as first thought.
I personally think it a DUMB decision to mandate this vaccine. This is already a divided world thanks to recent politics. This virus has been made political. Now we want to force everyone to take this vaccine – that will only further divide this once-great-country.
We should be addressing concerns, not forcing our way.
If the PCR test works then the vaccine doesn’t. If the vaccine works the PCR test doesn’t. The walls are closing in now. It’s all fake. The useful idiots are doing exactly what they do. Remember who has been saying it from the beginning. I want to be the first name you think of when you finally understand.
@popcorn
Resorting to the words “monster disease” is so pathetic and desperate. But believe me, you are helping spread the truth about the HOAX. NOBODY thinks your fear or outrage is real, you’re a meme.
Totally totalitarian and wrong, totally un-American.
Sweden is more American than America now.
If religious exemptions are allowed, what is to stop every single person who wishes to dodge the vaccine from declaring they are Christian Scientists, or a similar group? Lots of religious sects and/or cults don’t allow this kind of thing. Simply say you are a practicing Christian Scientist.
Mandating vaccines without full approval is a slippery slope.
While I support the COVID vaccines and am fully vaxxed myself, I find it unreasonable to require one until it is fully approved.
New UC incoming class is only 20% white. And let’s be honest, probably half of those whites are Jews. (When I was at UC Berkeley in the 2000s, the white population was half Jewish.)
So- it’s not like this even applies to anyone you care about. LoL.
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