COVID-19 Vaccine

Cal Poly is working closely with San Luis Obispo County Public Health to end this pandemic in our community. The emergency-authorized COVID-19 vaccines are a critical tool to reach that goal — they are proven to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the virus. COVID-19 vaccine appointments are free and don't require information about the recipient's immigration status. Find ways to access free vaccine appointments and get more information on the available vaccines below.

Do you live outside of SLO County? Find your community’s COVID-19 page
Vaccine Questions? Email Campus Health and Wellbeing

Recent Updates

Vaccination Requirements – *UPDATED Aug. 2*: Student Affairs announced that all currently enrolled students must record their COVID-19 vaccination status or declare a medical or religious exemption by Aug. 23. To read the Aug. 2 announcement, visit the Campus Updates page.; Please click here to record your vaccination status or declare a religious or medical exemption by Monday, Aug. 23.; As a reminder, residential students must be vaccinated by Sept. 14 and the remainder of the campus community by Sept. 20 to comply with the California State University's (CSU) policy. The policy will go into effect whether the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends the vaccines for all uses, or continues with the current emergency-use authorizations. For more information on the CSU's COVID-19 vaccination requirement, click here.
Updated Face Covering Requirements: The California Department of Public Health says fully vaccinated people aren't required to wear face coverings indoors in many settings. The CDPH guidance is in effect at Cal Poly for students. However, the Cal/OSHA changes will not take effect immediately Cal Poly employees, including student employees, who should continue to wear a face covering indoors. See full guidelines.
Keep Your Vaccination Records Digitally: If you want to share your proof of vaccination, you can use either the electronic version from the California Department of Public Health's portal or the card you were given at time of vaccination. Learn more about vaccine records.

Vaccination Opportunities in SLO County

Rite Aid Vaccine Clinic on Campus

Rite Aid will host pop-up vaccination clinics on select dates in July and August during SLO Days events. These clinics offer free COVID-19 vaccines and other basic immunizations. The clinics are open to all students, employees and community members who meet the age requirements for their vaccine. The clinic will offer first and second doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. If you receive your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the clinic, you can use the scheduling link to find a second-dose appointment at a Rite Aid near you at the appropriate time.

Dates, times and location: Clinics will take place in University Union (Bldg. 65) in room 220 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates: July 16, 20, 23, 28 and 31; August 4, 7 and 10.
Appointments: Use Rite Aid’s scheduling link and search zip code “93407” for appointments on campus. Walk-ins will are welcome, though scheduled appointments will expedite the process.
What to bring: All participants must wear face coverings. For COVID-19 vaccine, bring an ID and an insurance card, if you have one. If you don’t have insurance, you can still get the vaccine free of charge. For all other vaccines, insurance card and ID are required. Co-payments may apply and are due at time of service. People under the age of 18 must have parental consent and be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Parking: There are free, one-hour parking zones on the top level of the Grand Avenue parking structure for those with COVID-19 vaccination and testing appointments. SLO Days participants will have parking passes specific to the event.

Vaccine Appointments for Students at the Health Center

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. The center will offer the Pfizer vaccine for any continuing student who needs their first or second dose. Incoming students who will begin taking Cal Poly courses in fall will be able to access vaccines on campus, if needed, starting in mid-July.

Appointments: Students can call 805-756-1211 to make vaccination appointments, which begin June 8. If you’re making a second-dose appointment for the Pfizer vaccine, make sure you are scheduling for at least 21 days after your first dose.
What to bring: Bring your Poly Card or a photo ID and a completed vaccination consent and questionnaire. If this is a second-dose appointment, bring your vaccination card.
Parking: There are free, one-hour parking zones on the top level of the Grand Avenue parking structure for those with COVID-19 vaccination and testing appointments.
Cancellations: Call the Health Center at 805-756-1211 if you need to cancel your appointment.

Myturn.ca.gov Appointment System

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

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.

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: Uber and Lyft offer discounted rides to vaccination appointments. Individuals can request rides through these respective apps, though these programs are not associated with or administered by Cal Poly.

Uploading Vaccination Records — Students Only

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) 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. 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.
Lost your card? Contact the Public Health Department in the county in which you received your vaccination to request a copy.

Facts About the Vaccines

At this time, three COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for emergency use, from Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer and Moderna. 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

Continue to Do Your Part

As restrictions lift and businesses reopen, there are several simple ways you can keep yourself and your community healthy.

Wear a face covering where updated public health guidance requires it.
Get vaccinated if you are able.
Monitor your health and stay home if you feel sick/feverish.
Access COVID-19 testing if needed. 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.
Wash your hands though out the day and sanitize frequently touched surfaces.

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

Vaccine FAQs

Vaccine Requirements

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

The CSU is implementing the vaccine requirement now in part because of the current surge in COVID-19 cases from the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant. Announcing this requirement now allows members of the Cal Poly community to become fully vaccinated as we head into fall term.

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 the Week of Welcome required to comply?

Yes, students must follow these guidelines.

Are students participating in summer research or programs such as Quarter Plus 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 by Monday, Aug. 23.

Students who live in university residential facilities must be fully vaccinated by Sept. 14 and all other students must be fully vaccinated by Sept. 20.

How do students complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Status Declaration by Aug. 23?

Enrolled students must complete the Cal Poly COVID-19 Vaccination Status Declaration by clicking on this link . Students can also access the 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, and 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. 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.

How do I change or update my status?

If your status changes, please update your information by clicking on this link.

MEDICAL INFO

Which vaccines are accepted to verify my vaccination status?

There are currently three vaccines approved by the FDA for emergency use: Moderna (2 doses), Pfizer (2 doses), and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) (1 dose). 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.

Where can I get my COVID-19 vaccine in the San Luis Obispo area?

For those currently in the San Luis Obispo area, vaccines are available on campus through the Rite Aid clinic in UU 220, and at other locations. For complete information, see the Cal Poly vaccine webpage.

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.

Coronavirus Information

Detailed Information