Updated October 2022
UC Vaccine Policy Information for Students
The UC Office of the President issued an updated UC Vaccine Policy covering COVID-19 and flu vaccine requirements.
- DCE students will be able to upload their vaccine records through the Student Health Center portal (instructions for this will be made available to students after their acceptance to their program) using their UCInetID
- DCE students can request an medical exemption, religious exception, disability exception or deferral due to pregnancy of the vaccination through the same process as main campus UCI students
- UCI can help students with finding vaccine appointments in California
- View instructions on how to upload your vaccination record
The deadline to submit your proof of COVID-19 vaccination or your request for exception on medical, disability, or religious grounds, or a deferral based on pregnancy is at least 2 weeks before your program start date. Students who are not in compliance by this deadline will experience the following:
- Have a hold placed on their records with the risk of being dropped from their classes.
- Lose access to UCI’s Wi-Fi system: UCI Mobile Access.
- Be referred to the DCE’s Student Affairs & Student Services Office for disciplinary action including, but not limited to, probation, suspension, or dismissal. The UC Office of the President has issued an updated UC Vaccine Policy covering COVID-19 and flu vaccine requirements.
This policy requires all UCI students, staff and faculty, with few exceptions, to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 before physically accessing the university’s locations and programs. Compliance is required no later than two weeks before students, staff, and instructors are expected to be on campus.
Boosters
COVID-19 boosters are required all eligible students, faculty and staff. For information on commonly asked questions, view the FAQ on boosters.
Those who become eligible must be boosted and upload their documentation no more than 15 days to be policy compliant.
Questions about the policy may be sent to UCOP-COVID19-Vaccine@UCOP.edu
Please contact the DCE Student Affairs & Student Services office by phone at (949) 824-5414 or by email at dce-services@uci.edu for further assistance with the following:
- How to submit the required documentation of vaccination
- How to submit your exception or deferral request, if needed
- Locating a vaccine site near you
- Help with issues related to vaccine documentation received internationally
- Answer questions as to whether vaccines received internationally meet the UC COVID-19 Vaccine policy requirements
Flu Vaccination
For information on the flu vaccination requirement, visit the Student Health Center's website.
COVID Testing
Drop/In and Appointment Testing at Student Center Permanently Closing Oct. 28, 2022
The Student Center COVID-19 PCR Test Site will close permanently on Oct. 28, 2022. At home COVID-19 antigen tests will continue to be available free of charge to students, staff, and faculty.
PCR testing may be available to you through your primary care provider or from local clinics and pharmacies.
Students and employees who are experiencing symptoms may also follow instructions on the UCI Forward Symptom Check page and if you meet criteria will be able to schedule a PCR test.
Free At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Tests
Students, faculty, and staff can pick up free rapid antigen at-home test kits at the following locations.
UCI Student Center (Building 113 on campus map)
Information Center
Hours: Monday-Friday. 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Science Library (Building 520 on campus map)
Front Desk
Hours: See UCI Libraries webpage
Contact Tracing and Vaccine Navigation Services (building 232 on campus map)
Continuing Education 4, Room 112-113
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Environmental Health and Safety (Building 41 on campus map)
4600 Health Sciences Rd.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Travel
If your F-1 visa is expired or will expire, you will need to apply for a new F-1 visa before you re-enter the U.S. Please check for visa appointment availability at the U.S. Embassy in your home country before departing the U.S. Some offices may be closed or have limited hours and may not be able to process your F-1 visa renewal in time to return to the U.S., so it is very important to plan ahead.
If you are changing to a different program or transferring to DCE from another SEVP-approved school in the U.S. for this summer quarter, you must be in the U.S. before the current quarter program end date in order to maintain your F-1 status. If you have not re-entered the U.S. before the current quarter program end date, you may only study remotely on a non F-1 status. Your I-20 will be completed, canceled or terminated depending on your situation. You may still enroll in summer courses remotely from your home country without an I-20.
Health Insurance and Student Wellness
Tests are available at multiple locations in Orange County, but only when recommended by a doctor. If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms, contact your doctor.
Note that outside of California, Anthem is called "Blue Cross".
If you wish to enroll in UCI DCE’s health insurance plan, please contact us at healthandwellness@ce.uci.edu for more information.
Advising Services
Student Life & Activities
Technology
Resources
- UC Irvine: https://ehs.uci.edu/PublicHealth/coronavirus.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/
- Travel Advisories: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html
- DCE Student Services: ip@ce.uci.edu
- Check all email for messages from UCI, DCE, and your academic program staff and instructors for changes and updated information.
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