Oxy’s updated policy states that all students, staff, and faculty are strongly recommended to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations. There is no longer a vaccine requirement.
Dear Oxy Community,
As the county, state and federal governments end the public health emergency status of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Occidental College COVID Operations Group (COG) continues to monitor campus and community levels of infection and the latest COVID-19 developments. We want to share an update to the Oxy COVID-19 vaccination policy, based on new guidance from Los Angeles County and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and encourage community members to continue practicing safety measures for your own health and the health of others.
Oxy’s updated policy states that all students, staff, and faculty are strongly recommended to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations. There is no longer a vaccine requirement.
This change is effective immediately.
What it Means to be “Up-To-Date”
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Everyone aged 6 and older should get one updated (bivalent) dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to be considered up-to-date.
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Those aged 65 and older may get a second dose of the updated vaccine.
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People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of updated vaccine, and should discuss this with their healthcare provider.
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As COVID-19 and science evolve, the CDC’s definition of “up-to-date” will change, and revised vaccination guidance will be provided as needed.
Testing remains available to the Oxy community this summer at Emmons Wellness Center, Mondays through Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to noon. Student testing is open to students with symptoms and those who may have been exposed to COVID-19. Employee testing is available to employees who receive an exposure notification. Employees experiencing symptoms should stay home. Other no-cost testing locations can be found here.
Indoor masking continues to be required at Emmons Wellness Center. Masks are strongly recommended in other indoor and crowded outdoor settings.
As always, Oxy’s policies are subject to change based upon how the pandemic and the public health guidance continue to evolve on and off campus. Continue to visit the Back at Oxy website for the most up-to-date information on Oxy's COVID-19 preparation and response.
Thank you for your continued observance of campus guidelines. If you have questions about COVID-19 protocols, please email covidops@oxy.edu.
Thank you,
COVID Operations Group (COG)
Harry J. Elam, Jr., President
Rob Flot, Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students
Amos Himmelstein, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Nora Kahn, General Counsel
Rod Leveque, Vice President for Marketing & Communications
John McCormack, Faculty Council President, Associate Professor, Biology
Devon Sakamoto, Assistant Dean of Students for Emmons Wellness Center
Wendy Sternberg, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College
Jim Tranquada, Director of Communications
James Uhrich, Vice President for Information Technology Services & Chief Information Office