COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines are available to Cal Poly employees and their families.

Students needing a COVID-19 vaccine (primary vaccine series) should make an appointment at Campus Health and Wellbeing so that an immediate record of their vaccination is recorded.

Rite Aid will have Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and can offer first and second doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 3 to 11 years old. Second doses are available to children who received a first dose at least 21 days prior. (Note: Children under 3 years old need to see their pediatrician for a vaccine.) Complete the consent form (PDF) in advance to expedite the process.

Boosters

Currently enrolled students who receive a booster shot can now upload it to the COVID-19 Info tab of the Cal Poly Portal. Incoming students will be able to upload their vaccination and booster record starting in mid-July and August.

Booster shots are available to the entire campus community, including students and employees. Individuals can get a booster five months after completing their primary Pfizer or Moderna vaccination series, or two months after receiving the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. (Children 5 and older can get a third dose five months after completion of their primary series, or three months after the primary series if they are immunocompromised.)

The J&J vaccine will not be available at the Rite Aid clinic. However, eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others may prefer to get a different booster. The CDC’s recommendations allow for this type of mix-and-match dosing for booster shots only.

Make an Appointment

The Rite Aid clinics are walk-in only. Complete the consent form (PDF) in advance to speed the process.

What to Bring

For Vaccines

For the COVID-19 vaccine, bring a photo ID, your insurance card and your vaccination card if getting your second dose or booster shot. You can still receive the COVID-19 vaccine if you do not have insurance or a photo ID (confirmation of age is required for booster shots, however). Children do not need to show a photo ID but must be accompanied by parent/guardian, who would sign the consent form. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is free.

Consent Form

To speed the process, fill out the vaccine consent form (PDF) ahead of time and bring it with you. Copies will also be provided at the clinic.

About the Student Vaccination Requirement

Currently enrolled students must record their COVID-19 vaccination status or declare a medical or religious exemption.

All students, staff, faculty must comply with the California State University's (CSU) revised COVID-19 vaccination policy.

Students are required to complete ongoing testing until they are fully vaccinated. Cal Poly's definition of “fully vaccinated” includes a booster for eligible students effective Jan. 20, 2022. You will be considered fully vaccinated if you have completed your primary vaccines series and received a booster.

If you are not eligible for a booster, you will continue to be considered fully vaccinated until the date you become booster-eligible. Then you must either receive a booster to remain fully vaccinated or follow campus testing requirements.

An email is sent to students who are required to complete ongoing testing once they are considered fully vaccinated and are no longer part of the required-testing group.

Get more information on the CSU's COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

Uploading Vaccination Records

Students who have received all necessary doses of their COVID-19 vaccine (one dose for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine; two doses for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines) or their booster shot can upload their vaccination records with Campus Health and Wellbeing. Cal Poly will also accept COVID-19 vaccinations that are recognized by the World Health Organization. Uploading records will satisfy the CSU’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

• How to upload: Students can upload their vaccination records through the Cal Poly Portal or the COVID-19 Vaccination Status Declaration once they have received their final dose of a primary vaccination series or booster shot. Students who received the COVID-19 vaccine through Campus Health and Wellbeing's Student Vaccination Clinic on campus don't need to upload their records but will need to confirm their information in the COVID-19 Vaccination Status Declaration system.
  • Incoming students will be able to upload their vaccination and booster record on the COVID-19 Info tab of the Cal Poly Portal starting in mid-July and August.
• Lost your card? Contact the Public Health Department in the county in which you received your vaccination to request a copy.

   

What is the CSU requirement?

The California State University Chancellor’s Office announced a revision to its systemwide COVID-19 Vaccination Policy to require a vaccine booster shot for all eligible students and employees. Faculty, staff and students accessing campus facilities or programs at any university location must receive a booster shot to be fully immunized against COVID-19.

As announced previously, the CSU’s COVID-19 vaccination policy allows students and employees to seek exemptions on medical and religious grounds.

Who is required to comply with this requirement?

Faculty, staff and students accessing campus facilities or programs at any university location must receive a booster shot to be fully immunized against COVID-19.

Is there a deadline for students to get a booster shot?

Cal Poly changed our definition of “fully vaccinated” to include a booster for eligible students effective Jan. 20, 2022. The revised policy will be immediately applicable to students who are eligible to receive a booster. Those who do not meet the new definition of “fully vaccinated” will have to participate in ongoing testing.

If you have received the full basic COVID-19 vaccination but are not eligible for a booster, you will be considered fully vaccinated until the date you become booster-eligible. You must either receive the booster on that date to remain fully vaccinated, or follow the requirements for not-fully-vaccinated persons until you receive the booster.

When am I eligible for a booster?

• Two months after you received J & J primary vaccine series, boost with Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.
• Five or more months after you received Moderna primary vaccine series, boost with Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.
• Five or more months after you received Pfizer primary vaccine series, boost with Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.
• If you received another type of primary vaccine outside of the U.S. with a currently FDA authorized vaccine, consult with your medical provider to see when you may be able to get a booster.
• The CDC recommendations allow individuals to mix and match which booster shot they receive. The CDC also currently recommends that everyone receive a Pfizer or Moderna booster regardless of which vaccine they originally received.

Once you have completed your series, upload your booster record.

I received a COVID-19 vaccine series outside of the US. What should I do?

• If you received all or part of a vaccine that is not currently authorized by the FDA or granted emergency use listing by the WHO, you should seek a complete, FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine series.
• If you received another type of primary vaccination outside of US with a currently FDA authorized vaccine, consult with your medical provider.

I do not want to get a booster shot. What will I be required to do?

If you have completed your primary vaccination series, you will be considered fully vaccinated until you become eligible for a booster. If you do not get a booster at that time, you will be required to participate in the testing compliance program. You will not need to file a medical or religious exemption in this situation.

I tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days and have not received a booster. What should I do?

Students who had COVID-19 within the last 90 days do not need to participate in ongoing testing. If you were tested on campus, you do not need to take any further action. You will be automatically removed from the ongoing testing requirement for 90 days (based on the date of your positive result). If you were tested off campus, you must upload your positive test result to the COVID-19 Info tab of the Cal Poly Portal to be released temporarily from the testing requirement. Students should continue to follow public health guidelines and medical advice regarding quarantine and isolation timelines. A notification will be sent via email once you are enrolled or re-enrolled into the ongoing testing program.

Students who are eligible for a booster and do not receive one will not be considered fully vaccinated and will have to test every seven days.

If I have already submitted a medical or religious exemption, do I need to declare another exemption?

No, if you have already submitted a medical or religious exemption this academic year you do not need to submit another request.

I have not completed my primary vaccine series. What do I do?

Your status will be recognized as not fully vaccinated and you will be required to participate in the ongoing testing program to access campus.

Check the COVID-19 Info tab in your student portal for your next test date. To schedule weekly tests, visit the Student Testing page.

What are the sanctions for students who fail to comply?

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.

How do I change or update my status?

If your status changes, you can update your information.

Which vaccines are accepted?

The FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine (two doses) in August 2021, for people 16 and older, and the Moderna (two doses) vaccine in January 2022 for individuals 18 and older. The 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?

Cal Poly's definition of “fully vaccinated” now includes a booster with the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine for eligible students. You will be considered fully vaccinated if you have completed your primary vaccines series and received a booster.

If you are not eligible for a booster, you will continue to be considered fully vaccinated until the date you become booster-eligible. Then you must either receive a booster to remain fully vaccinated or follow campus testing requirements.

Are vaccinations required if I’ve already tested positive for COVID-19?

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.

About the Requirement

Employees must enter their vaccination status on their Cal Poly Portal. You are required to provide this information on your first day of employment and whenever your vaccination or exemption status changes.

Employees can now upload their booster record.The deadline for employees to update their booster information varies by bargaining unit.

Visit the COVID-19 Info tab on the Cal Poly Portal to submit your proof of vaccination. Employees who are employed by more than one campus entities must submit their status to each employer. Employees who are not yet fully vaccinated or current with their booster must wait until after they are fully vaccinated or boosted to access the Cal Poly Portal and submit vaccination information.

Booster and Vaccination Deadlines

* The MOU for the updated Vaccination Policy requires employees to obtain booster shot(s) and self-certify their vaccination status or file an exemption based on medical or religious reasons by July 15, 2022. However, if an employee tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days preceding July 15, they are eligible for a 90-day extension to get boosted and submit their self-certification of vaccination status. They must submit proof of a positive test and a written request before July 15. The date of the positive test result starts the 90-day extension period. For example, an employee who tested positive on April 30, 2022, may submit proof of their positive test and a written request for an extension and their 90-day extension would expire on July 29. Finally, If the CSU requires employees to get additional boosters after December 31, 2022, CSU will notice and meet and confer over impacts.

State Employees

• 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 are not accessing campus or any CSU facilities at this time, select that option. This exemption is rare and is for employees that were hired into remote positions and does not include approved telecommuters that may be required to report to campus.
• After selecting vaccination or exemption, employees need to upload their proof of vaccination certificate (which can include a vaccine card, Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record, or note from a medical provider).

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.

What is the CSU requirement?

The California State University Chancellor’s Office announced a revision to its systemwide COVID-19 Vaccination Policy to require a vaccine booster shot for all eligible students and employees. Faculty, staff and students accessing campus facilities or programs at any university location must receive a booster shot to be fully immunized against COVID-19.

As announced previously, the CSU’s COVID-19 vaccination policy allows students and employees to seek exemptions on medical and religious grounds.

Who is required to comply with this requirement?

Faculty, staff and students accessing campus facilities or programs at any university location must receive a booster shot to be current with their COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

Is there a deadline for employees to get a booster shot?

Cal Poly has changed our definition of “fully vaccinated” to include a booster. The deadline for employees to update their booster information varies by bargaining unit. Employees who are not in compliance with the vaccination and booster requirements will have to participate in ongoing COVID-19 surveillance testing twice a week.

If you are not yet eligible for a booster, you will be considered fully vaccinated until the date you become booster-eligible. You must either receive the booster on that date to remain fully vaccinated, or follow the requirements for not-fully-vaccinated persons until you receive the booster.

What is an acceptable proof of vaccination?

Acceptable proof of vaccination includes: A COVID-19 vaccination card, Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record or documentation from your medical provider.

When am I eligible for a booster?

• Two months after you received J & J primary vaccine series, boost with Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.
• Six or more months after you received Pfizer or Moderna primary vaccine series, boost with Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. (Cal Poly recommends employees receive a Moderna or Pfizer booster five months after completing the primary vaccination series as recommended by CDC, but employees are required to do so six months after completing their primary series.)
• If you received another type of primary vaccine outside of the U.S. with a currently FDA authorized vaccine, consult with your medical provider to see when you may be able to get a booster.
• The CDC recommendations allow individuals to mix and match which booster shot they receive. The CDC also currently recommends that everyone receive a Pfizer or Moderna booster regardless of which vaccine they originally received.

Once you have completed your series, upload your booster certification record to the COVID-19 Info tab of the Cal Poly Portal.

I do not want to get a booster shot. What will I be required to do?

If you have completed your primary vaccination series, you will be considered fully vaccinated until you become eligible for a booster. If you do not get a booster at that time, you will be required to participate in regular surveillance testing. You also will be required to obtain booster per the vaccination policy unless you qualify for a religious or medical exemption or your managers approves that you qualify to select that you are not accessing any Cal Poly or CSU facility or attending any Cal Poly programs of events.

If I have already submitted a medical or religious exemption, do I need to declare another exemption?

No, if you have already submitted a medical or religious exemption this academic year you do not need to submit another request.

I have not completed my primary vaccine series. What do I do?

Employees are required to be vaccinated and boosted when booster eligible unless they qualify and select a religious or medical exemption or their manager approves that they are not accessing any Cal Poly or CSU facility or attending any Cal Poly programs of events.

Your status will be recognized as not fully vaccinated and you will be required to participate in regular surveillance testing. To schedule tests, visit the Employee Testing page.

What are the sanctions for employees who fail to comply?

Non-compliance with this policy without a medical or religious exemption may be cause for discipline.

Which vaccines are accepted?

The FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine (two doses) in August 2021 for people 16 and older, and the Moderna (two doses) vaccine in January 2022 for people 18 and older. The Johnson & Johnson (one dose) vaccine remains 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?

The CSU announced a revision to its systemwide COVID-19 Vaccination Policy to require a vaccine booster shot for all eligible students and employees. Cal Poly's definition of “fully vaccinated” includes a booster for eligible students and employees.

Do I still need a vaccination if I’ve already tested positive for COVID?

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.

Will visitors or contractors 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.

Local Vaccine Appointments

COVID-19 vaccine appointments are free and don't require information about the recipient's immigration status. Do you live outside of SLO County? Find your community’s COVID-19 page

Transportation to Vaccination Appointments

Public Transportation

SLO Transit buses offer routes in San Luis Obispo that can connect you to regional transit and is free to students with a PolyCard. SLO County's Regional Transit Authority (SLORTA) offers services throughout San Luis Obispo County.

Car Rentals

Campus community members can rent a ZipCar on campus by the hour seven days a week. Cal Poly students get discounted rates and can rent at a minimum age of 18.

Ridesharing Apps

Check Uber and Lyft for current vaccination ride promotions. Individuals can request rides through these respective apps, though these programs are not associated with or administered by Cal Poly.

Facts About the Vaccines

In August 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer vaccine for people 16 and older. The Moderna vaccine was approved in January 2022 for individuals 18 and older. The Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine was authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for emergency use. Explore up-to-date information from reliable sources, including those listed here:

• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has information on the benefits of vaccination, understanding different COVID-19 vaccines, the safety of the vaccines, allergies and frequently asked questions
• San Luis Obispo County's Public Health Department has answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines
• NAACP SLO County and R.A.C.E. Matters SLO hosted a Community Conversation about Vaccines to discuss vaccine facts and factors to consider when deciding to get vaccinated
• On August 12, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the emergency use authorization for both mRNA vaccines, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, to allow boosters doses of vaccine for immunocompromised individuals with specific conditions. See the California Department of Public Health's Q&A on booster shots and the SLO County Public Health Department's guidance on making an appointment.

Continue to Do Your Part

Everyone in the Cal Poly community can recommit to the measures that protect our health and wellbeing.

Vaccination

All faculty staff and students on campus must vaccinate or claim an exemption.

Face Coverings

Face coverings are not required in most indoor settings for students, employees and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.  fAll campus community members and visitors must continue to wear a face covering in health care settings, regardless of vaccination status, such as the Health Center and COVID-19 testing site.

Testing

Free, on-campus testing available for unvaccinated, asymptomatic students, faculty and staff. Enrolled students experiencing symptoms can access testing through Campus Health and Wellbeing by calling 805-756-1211. SLO County also has a number of free testing locations.

Hygiene

Continue following good pandemic hygiene, including regularly washing or sanitizing hands and wearing personal protective equipment as appropriate.

Get more information on San Luis Obispo County’s public health response to COVID-19.