The University of California issued a systemwide flu vaccination requirement on Oct. 8 for all students, staff and faculty for the 2021-22 academic year. Individuals are required to receive a flu vaccination by Nov. 19.
The flu vaccine requirement will go into effect alongside the university’s current COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Courtesy of Freeimages.com
According to the executive order, those who wish to opt out of the vaccine may submit a signed Vaccine Declination Statement — provided by their “location vaccine authority” according to the order — to their “location vaccine authority” on or before Nov. 19. There are no explicit requirements or qualifications to submit a Vaccine Declination Statement.
Those who opt out of the requirement must continue wearing masks or face coverings on campus “to the end of the flu season,” even if COVID-19 restrictions are loosened, according to the memo regarding the vaccine requirement.
The flu vaccine requirement will go into effect alongside the university’s current COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
“With both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses circulating at the same time, vaccination against both is needed to mitigate against overburdening health care systems as well as the threat to the health and safety of the UC community and the public at large,” the UC memo regarding the vaccine requirement said.
