Frequently Asked Questions Related to COVID-19
Which COVID vaccines are accepted?
We will accept any COVID vaccine that has been given emergency use authorization by WHO. You can follow the status of COVID-19 Vaccines within WHO EUL/PQ evaluation process.
I recently recovered from COVID-19. Should I wait to get a booster?
If you recently tested positive for COVID-19, UCLA is following CDC guidelines which recommend taking the booster vaccine once your symptoms have resolved and you've met the criteria to end isolation. Note: You will have 30 days from the date that you tested positive to get your booster.
I am abroad and the vaccine is not available. Can I get vaccinated when I arrive?
International students that cannot obtain a COVID vaccine are encouraged to plan ahead and schedule an appointment for a COVID vaccine upon arrival in the US. Once vaccinated, upload your COVID vaccine information on the Patient Portal by clicking on the Medical Clearance tab.
What if I already received a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized in the United States, do I need to get revaccinated?
- If you received a Non-FDA authorized/approved WHO-listed COVID vaccine series (e.g. Covishield, Covaxin, Sinovac, Sinopharm, AstraZenaca, Novavax), you should obtain a booster dose of Pfizer once a minimum of 5 months has elapsed after completing your primary series.
- If you received all or some of the recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine primary series that is NOT listed for emergency use by WHO (e.g. Sputnik, CanSinoBIO, CHO Cell), we recommend a primary vaccination with 2-dose mRNA series (preferred) or a single Janssen dose, with an interval of not less than 28 days from receipt of the last dose of a non-FDA-approved/authorized vaccine. After completion of primary vaccination with an FDA-approved or FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine, you are considered fully vaccinated, and are not recommended to receive an additional primary or booster dose at this time.
What if I received a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by FDA or not authorized for emergency use by WHO?
People who completed or partially completed a COVID-19 vaccine series with a vaccine that is not authorized by FDA or not authorized for emergency use by WHO may be offered an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine series.
The minimum interval between the last dose of a non-FDA authorized vaccine and an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine is 28 days.
I am an international student. Where should I submit my documentation for my COVID-19 vaccination for clearance/ compliance?
Students can upload their COVID vaccine information now on the Patient Portal by clicking on the Medical Clearance tab.
I cannot come back to campus three to four weeks before school starts, and I can’t access any vaccine in my country. Will I be allowed on campus?
Yes. You will be allowed on campus but will be referred to a vaccine site to get vaccinated immediately, unless you qualify for a University-approved exception or deferral. Until you are fully vaccinated, you will be subject to the non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) described in Appendix A: COVID-19 Prevention Strategiesfor unvaccinated individuals. Additional safety measures may be deemed necessary, depending on the circumstances, by local public health, environmental health and safety, occupational health, or infection prevention authorities, including the Location Vaccine Authority.
Are medical exceptions or disability or religious accommodations allowed?
Yes. Requests for an exception based on a medical exemption, disability, or religious belief are available. Students whose requests are pending or have been granted will still be subject to special requirements such as increased surveillance testing. Students should use the forms adopted by their campus. See the Forms and Exceptions sections of this website for more information.