UCI Forward

UCI Forward is our commitment to the well-being of our community as we ramp up campus operations. Working together, each of us doing our part, we can move UCI Forward.

Flu and bivalent booster vaccine update

Section 1

Oct. 21, 2022

The takeaway:

  • Flu vaccine and bivalent COVID-19 booster are required under the current UC Vaccine Policy
  • All students and employees should get a flu shot and COVID-19 bivalent booster by Dec. 1
  • Vaccine clinics available on campus
  • Watch for additional communication with instructions on compliance requirements and deadlines.

Dear UCI community,

I hope the fall quarter has started off well for everyone. I write to share some public health updates since my message of Sept. 19. The Orange County Health Care Agency has issued an alert that the flu has arrived earlier than usual in Orange County, and a severe season is expected. Coupled with concerns about a winter COVID-19 surge, UCI is recommending that all students, faculty and staff receive their flu vaccine and COVID-19 bivalent booster as soon as possible, but no later than Dec. 1.

Timing your booster dose

If it has been at least two months since your final primary series or last booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you receive the bivalent booster. Getting this vaccine now will help protect the health of you and your family, as well as our campus community. The new booster is also required by the current UC Vaccine Policy covering COVID-19 and flu.

Vaccine clinics on campus

For the convenience of students, faculty and staff, UCI is pleased to offer vaccination clinics on campus in partnership with Ralphs and Albertsons pharmacies. These vendor partners will be able to administer the flu, "4 Vax" (for students only) and COVID-19 primary and bivalent booster vaccinations required by the University of California for students, faculty and staff. 

These clinics will be available on various dates during the fall quarter in the lower-level lobby of the Division of Continuing Education (Building 8 on the campus map). Parking spaces will be held for vaccine clinic participants in lot 17A and the Anteater Parking Structure. The clinics will usually operate from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on selected dates, which can be found on the UCI Forward webpage. The retail pharmacies will bill most insurance plans directly.

Additional flu vaccine resources for students

Students may schedule flu vaccine appointments at the Student Health Center by logging into the Student Health Patient Portal.

Additionally, the Student Health Center, in partnership with the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Program in Public Health, is hosting "pop-up" flu vaccination clinics on Ring Road, available to students only. There is no cost for students covered by UC SHIP. For non-SHIP students, the cost is $21, but in most cases, the charge should be reimbursable by your health insurance plan. Check with your plan in advance for details and how to seek reimbursement. Information on the Ring Road flu clinics can be found on the UCIForward website.

We encourage students and employees to take advantage of the most immediate vaccination opportunity available through campus-sponsored vaccination clinics, your healthcare provider, local pharmacies or, if you are a member, UCI Health or the Student Health Center. Faculty and students doing research or studying abroad are encouraged to seek vaccines where they are. 

Thank you for getting both vaccines as early as possible to protect the health of yourself and the campus community this fall and winter. Please visit the UCIForward website regularly for updates.

Sincerely,

David M. Souleles, MPH ‘87
Director, Campus Public Health Response Team