Vaccination Information

The information on this page is designed to serve UC San Diego campus employees and students. UC San Diego Health employees should refer to the Pulse Intranet for targeted updates.

COVID Bivalent Booster Vaccines

Two COVID “booster” vaccines are now available. The new Pfizer and Moderna “bivalent” vaccines have been designed to continue to provide protection from the originally circulating SARS-CoV-2 virus while adding protection from the newer omicron strains (BA.4 and BA.5) that circulate today.

These vaccines are intended to be given as a single “booster” dose to people who have already received the original vaccination series with any approved vaccine, with or without any subsequent booster dosing. Those who have not yet received any SARS-CoV-2 vaccine should receive two doses of one of the original vaccines, and then receive the bivalent booster at least two months after completing the initial series. At this time, a second booster dose is not required to remain compliant with the UC Vaccine Mandate. 

Eligibility

The Pfizer vaccine can be given to anyone who is 12 years of age or older while the Moderna vaccine is intended for people who are 18 or older. The CDC has authorized a mix-and-match approach to booster vaccinations, so you can select which brand of booster vaccine you want when scheduling your appointment. Additional guidance on timing:

• Pfizer vaccine booster: must be 5 months or more since you completed your initial series of Pfizer vaccine.
• Moderna vaccine booster: must be 5 months or more since you completed your initial series of Moderna vaccine.
• Johnson & Johnson vaccine booster: must be 2 months or more since you completed your initial dose of J&J.
• For bivalent vaccine booster, must have already received the original vaccination series with any approved vaccine, with or without any subsequent booster dosing. The bivalent vaccine booster should be received at least two months after completing the initial series.
• To ensure the best immune response to the vaccine and to minimize side effects, it is recommended that persons who have recently contracted COVID-19 wait at least two months before getting the bivalent booster.

Vaccination Options

Campus members should seek the most immediate COVID-19 and flu vaccination opportunities that arrive. Please register on California’s MyTurn website or check the CDC’s VaccineFinder website for more appointment options to meet your needs. Vaccination options include:

• Scheduling an appointment with your primary care provider.
  • Students will be able to receive a vaccination through Student Health Services beginning winter quarter 2023.
• Visiting a local grocery store or pharmacy. 
  • Students with UC SHIP insurance may also go to any CVS pharmacy to get the COVID-19 vaccine and/or booster.  Students with other insurances should check to see what retail pharmacies are covered by their plan.  
• Locating a San Diego County vaccination site near you.
• Finding an appointment through California’s My Turn website directory.

Digital Vaccine Record

Employees and students can access a digital copy of their COVID-19 vaccine records through MyUCSDChart or MyStudentChart. You can generate a QR code that can be read by participating organizations or download a PDF record of your vaccine doses. This digital vaccine record is also known as a SMART Health Card. Students may also submit vaccines acquired outside of UC San Diego Health.

Access your vaccine record:

• Log into MyUCSDChart (Employees) or MyStudentChart (Students).
  
• Select the “Menu,” find the “My Record” section and click on “COVID-19.”
• Select "QR codes" to generate a QR code or "Download/Export" to generate a PDF copy of your vaccine results.

About COVID-19 Vaccines

Three COVID-19 vaccines — from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson — are available for adults in the U.S. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are given in two doses, approximately 21 days apart for the Pfizer vaccine and approximately 28 days apart for the Moderna vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is given in one dose. All three vaccines are extremely effective at preventing severe illness for COVID-19 within a few weeks of receiving the complete dosage, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). UC San Diego Health is currently administering Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. For more details, see UC San Diego Health’s Vaccine FAQs.

Review the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet
Review the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet
Review the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet

New video: COVID-19 Booster and Vaccines: Doctor Answers Your Questions (English)
Nuevo video: Refuerzo y Vacunas COVID-19: Un Doctor Responde sus Preguntas (Español)