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Vaccines and Boosters

If you would like to receive your bivalent booster, book an appointment at a nearby vaccination site today! Please check the CDC website for eligibility and more information.

Vaccination Requirement 


Please visit the Cowell Center Immunizations webpage for detailed information regarding all immunization requirements for students.

All Santa Clara University students, faculty, and staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

  • SCU requires the COVID-19 primary series plus a booster OR one dose of the bivalent/updated vaccine. Students must be complete or in progress of vaccination by August 1, 2023. 
    • Questions regarding individual student records may be submitted to the Cowell Center
    • Faculty and staff should upload their vaccine documentation to Workday.

SCU also strongly recommends all students, faculty, and staff continue to monitor the CDC for guidance and stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines.

 

 


I don’t have my vaccination card with me. What should I do?

You will need to upload documentation of your booster vaccination. This could be a picture of your physical vaccine card, or a digital vaccine card. If you upload a digital vaccine card, please make sure that your name and birthday are included on the digital card so we can confirm your information. If you received your vaccination in California, you can look up your vaccination record at https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/


Can I receive a vaccine exemption?

To request an exemption, fill out the immunization exemption form. Upload the form and supporting medical documentation to the Cowell Center Portal, and email the Cowell Center (cowellcenter@scu.edu) a copy of the exemption request form.

Students may request a medical exemption due to the existence of a medical contraindication to the vaccine, detailed in written documentation from a healthcare provider.

Faculty or staff may request a medical exemption due to medical contraindication to the vaccine, detailed in written documentation from a healthcare provider. Faculty or staff may also request a religious exemption by attesting and describing that they have “a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance that is contrary to the practice of immunization.”


COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Policy for Graduate Students in Online Programs

Graduate students who are enrolled in an online educational program may seek an exemption to the University’s vaccination requirement if they attest to the Cowell Center that they will neither be on-campus nor use campus facilities. Should a student with an approved exemption visit the campus to use campus resources, participate in campus activities, or complete a residency requirement, the individual must comply with the vaccination requirement. To seek this exemption, graduate students should contact their respective college or school, which will work with the Cowell Center to register the exemption.


Can I get an extension?

Please contact Cowell Health Services (cowellcenter@scu.edu) to request an extension.


What vaccines meet the University requirement?

Vaccines meeting the University requirement include those approved by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and/or any other COVID-19 vaccine which has received emergency use authorization by the World Health Organization (WHO) or another national regulatory organization.


What other immunizations are currently required for students?

All incoming students (undergraduates, graduates, transfers, and re-admits) are required to comply with the Santa Clara University Immunization Requirements.


Where can I ask questions about meeting the vaccine requirement?

If you need clarification beyond these FAQs, please email Cowell Health Services (cowellcenter@scu.edu) or covid19@scu.edu.

Where can I receive a booster vaccination?

Those who reside in the county can use a variety of websites to locate vaccine sites. Some resources include Santa Clara County’s COVID-19 vaccine site and California's MyTurn vaccine scheduling website.


When should I receive the booster?

Please check the CDC website to see when you are eligible for the updated booster. Once you are eligible, we recommend getting your booster as soon as possible, and uploading your updated vaccination information into the Cowell Center | My Student Health Portal.

How will the University support students from locations where the vaccine is not readily available? Or students who are living in other countries?

SCU will work to accommodate all students coming from outside the United States. The University will assist students to receive a vaccine upon arrival in Santa Clara County.


Is it okay if my proof of vaccination is in another language?

If your vaccine documentation has no English translation included, please include a translation when submitting it. We will follow up with you if there are further questions about the document.


Students: Want to confirm you uploaded your booster?

Check your electronic health record by logging into the Cowell portal; from the menu (left side) find medical clearances and click on "update" next to "Covid".  If you see an uploaded image and have entered the dates you received the vaccines, then you are all good.