Per California State University system policy, vaccinations against COVID-19 are required to access campus facilities and participate in in-person learning and activities this fall. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and the best way you can protect yourself and others.
Students must have at least one vaccine shot before classes begin on August 23. Faculty and staff must have a least one dose prior to the August 16 return-to-work date. You must be fully vaccinated (two weeks after your final dose) by September 30.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Vaccine Requirement
Find a Vaccine
On-Campus Vaccine Clinic August 3
In partnership with Rite Aid pharmacy, Chico State will offer a free, on-campus vaccination clinic open to all students, faculty, and staff.
- What: You choose! First or second dose of Pfizer vaccine OR single-dose Johnson & Johnson
- When: Tuesday, August 3, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Where: Bell Memorial Union Auditorium (Map)
- How: No appointments necessary!
COVID-19 vaccines are widely available at pharmacies nationwide, often with no appointment necessary. All persons 12 or older are eligible and there is no cost to get vaccinated.
Find a Vaccine
You can also visit the Butte County Public Health vaccination website to locate community clinics in the Chico area.
CSU Vaccine Requirement Frequently Asked Questions
Per the California State University Chancellor's Office policy, the COVID-19 vaccine is required for students, faculty, and staff, this fall to access campus facilities or participate in in-person classes and activities this fall. The policy is effective immediately, which is a change from previous announcements that said the policy would take effect upon full FDA approval of one of the vaccines. The policy reflects the CSU's existing immunization requirements for measles, hepatitis, chickenpox, and others.
Students must have at least one vaccine shot before classes begin on August 23. Faculty and staff must have a least one dose prior to the August 16 return-to-work date. You must be fully vaccinated (two weeks after your final dose) by September 30.
We will provide additional information as it becomes available.
- Who is required to be vaccinated?
The requirement covers all undergraduate and graduate students and faculty and staff who intend to be on campus for any period. Vaccination will be required at Chico State to access campus facilities or participate in in-person classes and activities.
- When is the deadline to get vaccinated?
Students must have at least one vaccine shot before classes begin on August 23 and faculty and staff must have a least one dose prior to the August 16 return-to-work date to ensure you are fully vaccinated by September 30. For two-dose vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna, you must receive your second dose by September 17 in order to be fully vaccinated (two weeks after the final dose) by the deadline of September 30. You should submit your vaccine certification as soon as you are fully vaccinated.
- Is the CSU's vaccine requirement legal?
Yes, the CSU is legally permitted to take steps to protect the health of its students, faculty, and staff. COVID-19 vaccines are one such step, and the CSU has decided to require them for those community members who wish to be on campus. The CSU is requiring the vaccines even while they are under emergency use authorization by the FDA, but will consider requests for medical and religious exemptions.
- Why isn't the CSU waiting for full FDA approval?
The CSU determined that we simply cannot wait. The fall semester begins in less than four weeks and ~60% of people living in Butte County are still unvaccinated, putting all of us at risk. Furthermore, the Delta variant has caused cases to spike nationwide and COVID-19 remains a very serious threat for those who are not yet vaccinated. Read more in the CSU's policy announcement.
The vaccines currently authorized for emergency use are very safe and extremely effective. Based on decades-old science, the vaccines met FDA’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality. Millions of people in the United States have already received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in US history.
- How can students submit proof of their COVID-19 vaccination?
Students can now submit their vaccination status via the
Student Center by clicking “Covid 19 Vaccination” in the Student Records menu. View detailed instructions for students on
how to submit their vaccination status.
- How can faculty and staff submit proof of their COVID-19 vaccination?
More information will be coming out in the next few days about how to meet the CSU’s requirement and certify you’ve been vaccinated, or request an exemption. In the meantime, employees are welcome to continue to voluntarily indicate their vaccination status by filling out the form emailed on July 19.
- Do I qualify for an exemption?
Only students, faculty, and staff who cannot be vaccinated because of a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance may request an exemption. Exemption requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. They are NOT automatically approved. Personal reasons for not getting vaccinated do not qualify for an exemption. Neither the medical nor religious exemption forms should be used unless they seriously apply to your situation.
Students can begin the process by indicating their intention to seek an exemption using the Vaccine Self-Certification form in the Student Center. View instructions. In addition, students must fulfill these requirements:
- If requesting a medical exemption, students must also fill out the Accessibility Resource Center’s registration form and provide documentation verifying the medical issue.
- If requesting a religious exemption, once the student has filled out the Student Center form, they will be contacted by the Title IX/DHR office and provided with information on how to submit their request for religious exemption through an online form.
The exemption process for faculty and staff has not yet been announced.
- Is collecting vaccine information HIPAA compliant?
Yes, all information submitted by employees (including vaccination status and exemption requests) is confidential and collected and stored in a manner that meets Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards. The University is well-versed in information security compliance as we regularly handle student health data and confidential academic records.
- If I’m exempted, will I need to undergo regular COVID-19 testing?
Specific policies about testing requirements for unvaccinated people have not yet been determined. You will be required to wear a mask.
- I received a vaccine outside of the US. Will it satisfy the requirement?
Yes, we are accepting all international COVID-19 vaccines that are approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) or any governing regulatory body.
- What if I don't want to get the vaccine?
Students who choose not to be immunized and who do not receive an approved medical or religious exemption will not be able to attend in-person classes or events or access to campus facilities, and will be limited to online course registration. (Personal reasons for not getting vaccinated do NOT qualify for an exemption.) Not all courses will be offered online.
The health and safety of our campus community is essential. We are confident that vaccinations are the best way for us all to safely return to campus and provide the college experience we are known for. We are encouraging all Wildcats to get vaccinated if they are able to.
- Do I need to be fully vaccinated, or is one shot sufficient?
You must be fully vaccinated. Per CDC guidelines, individuals are fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second shot of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and two weeks after receiving the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
- Do I need a vaccine if I've had COVID-19 and have antibodies?
Yes, you need to get a vaccine, even if you already had COVID-19. Vaccination provides a strong boost in protection in people who have recovered from COVID-19, and studies show vaccines appear to be more effective against variants than acquired immunity. With the rapid spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, it is more important than ever to get vaccinated.
- Does the requirement mean all classes will have an online option?
No, while Chico State does have more expansive offering of virtual courses this fall, resource limitations do not allow for all of the University’s or even individual program's full offerings to be made available virtually. The class schedule(opens in new window) shows the delivery mode for available classes this fall. - Do I need to wear a mask?
Unvaccinated
Yes, anyone unvaccinated is required to continue wearing a mask indoors in public at all times.
Vaccinated
It depends. Though vaccinated individuals currently have the option of removing their masks indoors in most places, the Centers for Disease Control and California Department of Public Health recommend masks indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission(opens in new window) to reduce the risk of being infected with the Delta variant and possibly spreading it to others. The CDC also recommends masking if you have a weakened immune system or if, because of your age or an underlying medical condition, you are at increased risk for severe disease, or if a member of your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.
Similar to other public spaces like grocery stores and other high-traffic businesses, removing your mask because you are vaccinated is based on the honor system. However, masks are always welcome on campus. You should not make assumptions about another’s vaccination status if they are wearing a mask. Fully vaccinated people are explicitly allowed to wear a mask without fear of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
As public health guidance is continually reviewed and updated, Chico State will update the campus community about changes to the masking policy.
Facts About the COVID-19 Vaccine
Visit the Centers for Disease Control’s Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines page and Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine page for the latest information.
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe.
Extensive testing and monitoring have shown that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. These vaccines are not experimental and are based on science that's been around for decades. The vaccines went through all the required stages of clinical trials and have met the FDA’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality. Millions of people in the United States have already received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in US history. Learn more about the safety of vaccines.
You need a vaccine, even if you are young and healthy.
Being young and otherwise healthy doesn’t guarantee any natural immunity against COVID-19. Even if you don’t develop any symptoms from COVID-19, you can still pass it along to people who are older or at higher risk, including friends and family members. Hospitals are also seeing more young adults admitted with COVID-19 as more contagious variants spread. To protect those who are most vulnerable, we must rely on the vast majority of the population to get vaccinated, even those who may otherwise be young and healthy.
Vaccines are effective, even against the Delta variant.
COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19, especially severe illness and death. They are highly effective in preventing serious illness caused by mutations like the Delta variant. The Delta variant is highly contagious and has proven especially dangerous for unvaccinated people, so it's even more important to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Vaccines also help stop the creation of new variants by eliminating opportunities to spread and keep mutating.
Some people do experience short-term, mild effects from the vaccine.
There are short-term mild or moderate vaccine reactions that resolve without complication or injury. Some people get reactions such as a headache, chills, fatigue or muscle pain, or fever lasting for a day or two. Keep in mind that these side effects are indicators that your immune system is responding to the vaccine and are common when receiving vaccines.
