Uc Immunization Policy Faqs 7-12-16

UC Immunization Policy
FAQs
1. Q:
A:
When does the UC Immunization Plan go into effect?

The UC Immunization Plan began Fall of 2015 with an Educational
Phase, whereby all Incoming Students, the UC campuses, and the
community are notified that vaccination will be required the
following year.
2. Q:
A:
How does UC determine which vaccines and screening to require?

The UC is following the recommendations of the California
Department of Public Health (CDPH) Immunization Branch for
Colleges
and
Universities
found
on
the
website
at
http://www.shotsforschool.org/college/. The current requirements
reflect those in place on February 24, 2016. However, UC reserves
the right to modify these requirements pending revisions to the
recommendations by CDPH. Changes in CDPHs recommendations
will be incorporated into the requirements affecting the incoming
fall class each year.
In general, these requirements pertain to those vaccinepreventable illnesses that can be spread by respiratory secretions
(saliva, coughing, sneezing), and pose a risk to others who might
become ill due to classroom or residential contact. These include,
measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), pertussis (whooping
cough), varicella (Chickenpox), and meningitis, as well as screening
for tuberculosis.
3.
Q:
A:
4.
Q:
9/25/2016
Why is UC implementing this policy?

There has been an increase in outbreaks of vaccine-preventable
illnesses over the past five to ten years, and now many illnesses
which we thought were disappearing are returning. Although many
of these diseases are considered mild, they can cause serious
illness and death. Pertussis was responsible for hospital stays for
hundreds of people in California during the past two years,
including intensive care admissions and in a few cases, death.
Recent outbreaks of measles also resulted in hospitalizations, and
new cases of mumps across the country threaten the health and
fertility of non-immune students. Thousands of students have been
exposed to active tuberculosis across several campuses.
Page 1 of 4
FAQs
A:
Do any other states or universities require vaccines for entry to
college?
Yes, in fact MANY other states require vaccines:
Thirty eight states require the meningitis vaccine for college
students based on age and place of residence.
Twelve states mandate Hepatitis B for college students.
Twenty eight states require measles vaccine for college
students.
Twenty three require the MMR vaccines for college students.
Fourteen states require the Td or Tdap for college students.
Five states require varicella vaccine for college students.
The California State Universities (CSUs) require measles, rubella,
hepatitis B immunization, and either information or signed
declination for meningitis.
5. Q:
A:
Why wasnt this done sooner?

The cost of vaccination was often a barrier to getting all the
recommended immunizations. However, the Affordable Care Act
has mandated that preventive services, such as vaccination, be
covered at 100%--meaning that these services are now available to
all. Another reason that UC did not pursue an immunization policy
in past had to do with the time and cost for staff to gather, review
and verify students immunization records. However, now all of the
campuses use the same system that enables students to enter
their immunization history directly into their medical record. Each
campus may verify some, or all, of these records by obtaining a
copy of the yellow vaccination record, or another form of proof.
However, we
anticipate automating the verification process over the next several
years, and thereby limiting additional staff time needed for this
process.
6. Q:
I was not vaccinated as a child. Will I be barred from entering UC

until all of the vaccinations have been obtained?
No later than Fall 2017, all UC campuses will implement registration
holds for students who have not documented completion, or who
have not begun the process of completing, all of the required
vaccines. Several campuses already implement registration holds if
students have not met the tuberculosis screening requirement.
However, there is variation on which campuses will be placing
A:
9/25/2016
Page 2 of 4
FAQs
holds during the 2016 2017 academic year. Please check with
your campus Student Health Service for information regarding the
timeline for registration holds related to immunization
requirements.
7. Q:
A:
8. Q:
A:
9.
Q:
A:
9/25/2016
I/my family have concerns regarding the safety of vaccines and

have chosen not to be vaccinated. Will I be prevented from
attending classes at UC if I do not obtain the required vaccines?
During the initial phases of the Immunization Plan implementation,
no registration holds will be placed. However, beginning fall of
2017, students who have not provided evidence of the required
vaccinations will not be able to complete their final registration.
I had an allergic reaction to a vaccination. Am I still required to be
vaccinated to enter UC?
It is very important that a licensed doctor, nurse practitioner, or
physicians assistant document what happened to you when you
had the problem with vaccination. If you had a true allergic or
adverse reaction, or you have a condition that makes in unsafe for
you to receive vaccinations, then your healthcare provider will
include information regarding the type of vaccination you are
requesting to be exempted from receiving, and whether you were
able to become immune to that illness. You will need to complete a
Medical Exemption Request form, and submit to your campus
health center. If they deny your request for an exemption, you have
a right to appeal their decision by a UC wide panel and will be
allowed to attend classes until a decision has been made regarding
your appeal.
Is there a process to request a personal/religious belief exemption
from the UC Immunization Plan?
The UC convened a task force over the summer of 2015, to
examine what types of exemptions from the policy should be
considered, and what the appropriate documentation and appeals
process would be required. This work group included
representatives from every campus, as well as a leading medical
ethicist and representatives from the California Department of
Public Health. The Task Force has recommended that UC follow the
same legislation as is applicable for students in K-12, and only
Medical Exemptions be allowed. However, UC has created a
Page 3 of 4
FAQs
process whereby students can appeal denials of their request
through a group that includes
three or more Immunization Exemption Appeals Committee task
force members, including at least one primary care provider and
one infectious disease specialist. Students who have submitted
appeals will be able to attend courses during the quarter/semester
that their appeal is undergoing review.
10 Q:
.
A:
Q:
11
A:
.
9/25/2016
Will I be able to get the vaccines I need from the Student Health
Service on my campus?
Yes, all of the campus Student Health Services stock and administer
the required vaccinations. However, our expectation is that you
receive these vaccines before starting at UC. Furthermore, most of
the campuses are not able to bill insurance plans other than their
respective Student Health Insurance Planswhich means you
might need to pay out-of-pocket for these immunizations. Some
campuses will charge you a fee for the administration of the
vaccine as it is a pre-entry requirement. Check with your local
campus Student Health Service.
Is it true that some of these vaccines include fetal tissue, or that
they require tissue from aborted fetuses?
The production of a few vaccines, including those for varicella
(chickenpox), rubella (German Measles), and hepatitis A, involves
growing the viruses in human cell culture. Two human cell lines
provide the cell cultures needed for producing vaccines using cells
taken from one or more fetuses aborted almost 40 years ago. Since
that time the cell lines have grown independently and are
maintained to have an indefinite life span. No fetal tissue has been
added since the cell lines were originally created.
The Catholic
Church has stated that one is morally free to use the vaccine
regardless of its historical association with abortion. The reason is
that the risk to public health, if one chooses not to vaccinate,
outweighs the legitimate concern about the origins of the vaccine.
Page 4 of 4

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Uc Immunization Policy Faqs 7-12-16

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UC Immunization Policy

When does the UC Immunization Plan go into effect?

How does UC determine which vaccines and screening to require?

Why is UC implementing this policy?

Why wasnt this done sooner?

I was not vaccinated as a child. Will I be barred from entering UC

I/my family have concerns regarding the safety of vaccines and

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