COVID-19 Vaccine Exception Request Process

An updated policy on Vaccination Program with Interim Amendments is currently being reviewed through the University's policy review process. If you have comments after reading the proposed updated policy, please email vaccinepolicycomments@ucop.edu. The information on this page will be updated as soon as the updates to the policy are finalized.

UC COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY REQUIREMENTS

The University's policy provides for a COVID-19 Vaccination Program under which any Covered Individual is required, subject to limited deferrals, exceptions, and associated non-pharmaceutical interventions, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This policy further provides that Locations must begin collecting proof of vaccination and processing requests for Exceptions and Deferrals for all Covered Individuals.

How to provide proof of vaccination

The UCOP Vaccine Tracker is a tool designed to keep your personal health information protected and confidential, and will be utilized to upload your proof of COVID-19 vaccination and/or to facilitate the exception request process.

What is an Exception

An approved exception to COVID-19 vaccination based on a Medical Exemption, Disability, or Religious Objection. For purposes of this policy, a person who is pregnant is not eligible on that basis alone for an Exception, but is eligible for a Deferral for the duration of pregnancy.

Medical Exemption - An excuse from receiving COVID-19 vaccine due to a Medical Contraindication or Precaution.

Religious - A Covered Individual’s objection to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine based on that person’s sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

Pregnancy Deferral - An approved deferral of vaccination based on pregnancy. Pregnancy Deferral will extend throughout the term of the pregnancy and until the Covered Individual returns to work or instruction, as applicable.

Disability Accommodation - An adjustment made to the requirements of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program for a Covered Individual who has received an approved Exception or Deferral to allow them to Physically Access a University Location or Program without impairing the health and safety objectives of this policy. Covered Individuals who are granted Exceptions or Deferrals will be required to observe Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions as a condition of Physical Presence.

How to request a Covid-19 Vaccine exception

All exception requests are initiated via the UCOP COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker. Once the exception request has been submitted through the UCOP COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker, it will automatically be sent for processing to Sedgwick Claims Management. UCOP has partnered with Sedgwick to provide this service in partnership with the Office of the President Risk Services and UCOP Human Resources.

Approved exception or deferral requests

If your request for an exception to the COVID-19 Vaccine is approved, your status will be updated in the UCOP COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker. If Sedgwick determines that your request requires further review, the request will be referred to UCOP-COVID-Exception-Questions@ucop.edu.

Denied exception or deferral requests

If a request for Exception or Deferral is denied, you will have 14 calendar days from the denial date to submit proof that you have received your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine including the date you received it. You will have a total of 8 weeks from the denial date to submit proof that you are Fully Vaccinated or you will be denied physical presence at the relevant University Location(s) or Program(s).