Cal State East Bay & UC Berk Students To Need COVID-19 Vaccine

HAYWARD, CA — The University of California and California State University systems are proposing that all 33 of their campuses — including Cal State East Bay and UC Berkeley — require COVID-19 vaccines for students and staff looking to return to campus.

The proposal was unveiled Thursday. It would take effect this fall or after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gives its full approval to a COVID-19 vaccine, whichever is sooner. The COVID-19 vaccines that are currently available have received FDA authorization for emergency use.

Mask-wearing and physical distancing would still be required. Students must update their immunization records after getting vaccinated.

“Receiving a vaccine for the virus that causes COVID-19 is a key step people can take to protect themselves, their friends and family, and our campus communities while helping bring the pandemic to an end,” physician and UC President Michael V. Drake said in a statement.

Campus guests would also need to show proof of vaccination, according to Cal State.

See also: How To Get The Coronavirus Vaccine In California

Together, UC and Cal State enroll and employ more than 1 million students and staff. Both institutions plan to bring students back for in-person instruction this fall.

The news came hours after Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated a major milestone, the Los Angeles Times reported: California has the lowest COVID-19 case rate in the contiguous United States.

California now has the lowest #COVID19 case rate in the nation.https://t.co/soTNNubKjk
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 22, 2021

Read the announcements from UC and Cal State.