COVID-19 Vaccine

Why is the CSU implementing this requirement prior to the federal government lifting the Emergency Use Authorization status for COVID-19 vaccines?

The CSU announced the vaccine requirement in July due to the current surge in COVID-19 cases from the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant. Announcing the requirement in July allows members of the Cal Poly community to as we head into fall term.

On Aug. 23, the FDA fully approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 16 and older. The Pfizer vaccine will now be marketed as Comirnaty.

Who is required to comply with the CSU’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement?

All faculty, staff and enrolled students accessing any campus facilities are required to be immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Are students who are participating in summer research, programs such as Quarter Plus or Week of Welcome required to comply?

Yes, students must follow these guidelines.

What do students need to do and by when?

All enrolled students must record their vaccination status or submit a religious or medical exemption in the COVID-19 Vaccination Status Declaration. Students can also access their vaccination status declaration on the “COVID-19 Info” tab in your student portal.

Are there sanctions in place for students who fail to comply with this requirement?

Any student who does not comply may be denied access to university facilities and/or programs (on- or off-campus), which includes in-person classes and off-campus internships or clinical experiences. If the health and safety of members of the campus community are jeopardized, students may be subject to the university’s student discipline process. Details about this will be announced in early September.

What happens if I am not fully vaccinated or claim a religious or medical exemption?

Students who are not fully vaccinated, including those who claim a religious or medical exemption, may be required to participate in ongoing COVID-19 testing throughout the academic year, wear face coverings in all indoor settings, including residence halls. Details will be shared with students by early September and may be subject to changes throughout the academic year. Please note that depending on public health conditions and vaccination rates, participation in some campus activities may require vaccinations.

Are there other requirements for students to complete prior to starting fall term?

Yes. All students, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of moving into a campus residence hall or apartment or attending your first day of in-person classes, whichever comes first.

How do I change or update my status?

If your status changes, you can update your information.

Which vaccines are accepted to verify my vaccination status?

The FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine (two doses) on Aug. 23 for people 16 and older. The Moderna (two doses) and Johnson Johnson (one dose) vaccines remain available under an emergency use authorization. Cal Poly will also accept COVID-19 vaccinations that are recognized by the World Health Organization.

When is someone considered fully vaccinated?

A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their last dose of vaccine. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccine regimens require a gap of three and four weeks respectively between doses, and recipients become fully vaccinated two weeks later.

I’ve already tested positive for COVID-19. Do I still need to get vaccinated?

Yes, you will still need to get vaccinated. The university policy does not allow for exemptions for those who have had COVID-19, and public health officials recommend vaccination for people who have previously tested positive for COVID-19.

I tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days and am unvaccinated. Can I still move in/access campus?

If you had COVID-19 within the last 90 days and have been cleared from isolation, you should upload your test results to the COVID-19 info tab of the portal and respond to the vaccination status declaration that you either plan to get vaccinated by the September deadline or request a medical or religious exemption.

If you plan to get vaccinated, you can do so after you have recovered from COVID-19, usually after 10 days. You do not need to wait to request a medical or religious exemption. You may be required to participate in additional public health and safety measures such as regular testing.

If you were recently diagnosed with COVID-19 and are under an isolation order, you should isolate at your permanent location and not travel to campus.

If medical experts determine in the future that boosters are required, will the new CSU policy also require proof of boosters?

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and the CSU will continue to review the guidance from local, state, federal and global health agencies and revise the policy as needed based on the goal of maintaining the health and well-being of all members of the campus community.

What will happen to me if I am unable to get the second vaccine in time to be fully immunized before I go to campus?

This should not be a problem as ample time has been built in to allow for both shots and the two weeks following. In the rare event that an individual has not completed the vaccination process, they may be required to participate in additional public health and safety measures.

• Log into your portal and go to the COVID-19 Info tab at the top.
• If you are fully vaccinated, you will be asked to declare or self-attest that you are fully vaccinated by selecting the first option.
• If your physician has verified that you qualify for a medical exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, you should select the medical exemption option. Please note that employees who submit a medical exemption from the vaccine requirement are not requesting a disability accommodation. In order to request a disability accommodation, please visit Human Resources Disability Accommodation.
• If you qualify for a religious exemption, you should select the religious exemption option.
• If you were hired into a fully remote work assignment that means you will not be accessing campus or CSU facilities at any time, you may select that option in the vaccine attestation portal. Please note that this option is not designed for employees who are telecommuting and who may be called back to campus on short notice. Instead, it is limited to those employees whose positions are designated as fully remote.

After you submit your vaccination information, you may verify your submission by reselecting the vaccination button on the portal's COVID-19 Info tab.

Cal Poly Corporation and Associated Students, Incorporated Employees

• Log into your portal and to go the COVID-19 Info tab at the top.
• Please click the link for your organization and follow the instructions on the documents you are directed to.

Cal Poly Corporation and ASI employees should contact their respective HR departments with questions. For portal access or other technical questions contact the ITS Help Desk.

Which vaccines are accepted to verify my vaccination status?

The FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine (two doses) on Aug. 23 for people 16 and older. The Moderna (two doses) and Johnson & Johnson (one dose) vaccines remain available under an emergency use authorization. Cal Poly will also accept COVID-19 vaccinations that are recognized by the World Health Organization.

When is someone considered fully vaccinated?

A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their last dose of vaccine. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccine regimens require a gap of three and four weeks respectively between doses, and recipients become fully vaccinated two weeks later.

I’ve already tested positive for COVID. Do I still need to get vaccinated?

Yes, you will still need to get vaccinated. The university policy does not allow for exemptions for those who have had COVID-19, and public health officials recommend vaccination for people who have previously tested positive for COVID-19.

If medical experts determine in the future that boosters are required, will the new CSU policy also require proof of boosters?

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and the CSU will continue to review the guidance from local, state, federal and global health agencies and revise the policy as needed based on the goal of maintaining the health and well-being of all members of the campus community.

What will happen to me if I am unable to get the second vaccine in time to be fully immunized before I go to campus?

This should not be a problem as ample time has been built in to allow for both shots and the two weeks following. In the rare event that an individual has not completed the vaccination process, they may be required to participate in additional public health and safety measures.

Will visitors to campus, contractors, food vendors, etc. be required to get vaccinated?

Contractors who access campus are asked to ensure their employees comply with this policy prior to accessing campus. Visitors are required to comply with other safety measures such as wearing face coverings indoors.

Vaccine Appointments at the Health Center — Students Only

Campus Health and Wellbeing offers a limited number of COVID-19 vaccine appointments to Cal Poly students at the Health Center (Bldg. 27) on campus. Learn how to make an appointment.

Myturn.ca.gov Appointment System — Everyone 12 and Older

Find free first- or second-dose vaccination appointments through your local public health department offices, some local pharmacies and other local providers.

• Find an appointment: Use the state's My Turn system or call (833) 422-4255 to schedule a first-dose or second-dose appointment anywhere in the state.
• What to bring: Bring a photo ID that confirms your birth date. If possible, print your completed screening form. If you're coming for your second dose, bring your COVID-19 vaccination card.
• Questions: Getting vaccinated is free, does not involve health insurance, and does not require information about a person's immigration status. If you have any questions about the My Turn system, call (833) 422-4255.

Local Pharmacies — Everyone 12 and Older

• Find an appointment: search your zip code on vaccines.gov to find appointments at local pharmacies and other sites.
• What to bring: contact pharmacies directly to confirm what documentation or insurance information you may need to bring to your appointment. If you're coming for your second dose, bring your COVID-19 vaccination card.