UC Releases Executive Order Requiring Flu Vaccinations

Outgoing University of California President Janet Napolitano released a UC system-wide executive order requiring students, faculty and staff to receive influenza vaccinations universally by November 1, 2020.

Released on July 31, the executive order intends to help alleviate the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on UC campuses and the communities which surround them.

“I have concluded that critical steps must be taken to reduce the likelihood of severe disease among students, faculty and staff, particularly those on campus, and in turn to reduce the likelihood that our health systems will be overwhelmed,” explained Napolitano.

UCSD students can get their flu shot via walk-in or appointment from the Student Health Nurses Clinic. While students with the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) are able to receive routine vaccinations with no copay, the vaccine costs $30 for students without UC SHIP, including those with UC San Diego’s Reduced Access Fee for Tritons (RAFT). UCSD recommends that students without SHIP seek vaccinations from their primary care providers.

According to the CDC, people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are highly susceptible to illness caused by COVID-19, and more likely to be hospitalized if they become sick with the flu. Receiving a flu vaccine in a timely manner helps to mitigate the health risks these groups face this season, reducing hospitalizations and thus freeing up resources to combat COVID-19.

This executive order comes while campuses are beginning to return students to campus despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Details for getting the 2020 flu vaccine at UCSD can be found here.

Nada Alami is a staff writer for The Triton. You can follow them here.