1. Policy
Issued: 3/5/2021
Last Revised: 1/20/2022
Last Reviewed: 1/20/2022
2. Policy Purpose
The purpose of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program is to protect and support the health and safety of the University of Southern California (“USC”) Community including the university’s faculty, staff, students, vendors, visitors, and patients and to comply with federal, state, and local legal requirements.
All university faculty, staff, and students are required to be up to date on their vaccinations for SARS-CoV-2 unless they have an approved exemption because of a disability, medical contraindication, or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. Employees and students who cannot receive a vaccine because of a disability, medical contraindication, or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance must affirmatively opt out of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination through the appropriate process, described below. Up to date on vaccination includes receipt of a booster shot within 30 days of becoming eligible unless they have an approved exemption as described above. Contractors and others who perform work or provide services for USC may be required to be fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 if they will be physically present on USCʼs campus, if required by the terms of a contractual agreement with USC, or if required by applicable government rule or regulation, unless subject to limited exceptions.
The vaccine is available, per state guidelines and pending availability, to all University employees and students at no charge.
3. Scope and Application
This policy applies to all USC faculty, staff, students, contractors, and others who perform work or provides services for USC, with the exception of employees who work at Keck Medicine of USC (including but not limited to those who work at Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Cancer Hospital, and USC Verdugo Hills Hospital).
4. Definitions
Defines terms specific to this policy.
| Term | Definition |
| COVID-19 Vaccination Program | Vaccination Program that requires SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations (or for USC’s faculty, staff, and students who are on-campus.) |
| On-Campus | For purposes of this policy, a location is considered on-campus if it takes place within USC’s Clery geography, as defined in the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report issued by the USC Department of Public Safety. This includes, but is not limited to, UPC, HSC, USC Village, USC Housing, and the Coliseum. |
| Fully Vaccinated | Individuals are considered fully vaccinated if they have provided verification of having received all doses of series of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination fully approved or for emergency use by the US Food and Drug Administration or by the World Health Organization (WHO) for emergency use listing (EUL) and two weeks have passed since their final vaccine dose. |
| Up to Date on Vaccination | Individuals are considered up to date on vaccination if they are either (1) fully vaccinated and not yet eligible to receive a booster dose or (2) fully vaccinated and have received a booster dose. |
5. Policy Details
All USC faculty, staff, and students are required to be fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 unless they have an approved exemption because of a disability, medical contraindication, or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. All USC faculty, staff, and students are required to become up to date on vaccination on the following timeline. Students who are eligible for a booster dose must receive one by January 18, 2022. All USC faculty and staff who are eligible for a booster dose must receive one by January 30, 2022. All USC students, faculty, and staff who subsequently become eligible for a booster dose must receive one within 30 days of their date of eligibility. Faculty, staff, and students who cannot receive a vaccine because of a disability, medical contraindication, or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance must follow the appropriate process outlined below. Contractors and others who perform work or provides services for USC may be required to be fully vaccinated and/or up to date on vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 if they will be physically present on USCʼs campus, required by the terms of a contractual agreement with USC, or required by applicable government rule or regulation, unless subject to limited exceptions.
Employees who work at Keck Medicine of USC should refer to Keck Medicine of USC-specific policies related to COVID-19. To be clear, this policy excludes employees who work at Keck Medicine of USC, including but not limited to those who work at Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Cancer Hospital, and USC Verdugo Hills Hospital.
Remote employees working exclusively outside the United States or in certain limited domestic jurisdictions may be subject to different requirements.
Participation: Faculty, staff, and students must participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program at the required intervals by completing one of the following steps:
- Receive vaccination, including a booster shot, on-site when eligible.
- Provide written documentation of vaccination and a booster when eligible from an external healthcare facility or clinic (e.g., at a private health care provider’s office or during a vaccine fair).
- Obtain an approved religious or medical exemption: Fill out the appropriate Religious or Medical exemption form and submit it to MySHR. Please allow 14 days for your request to be reviewed.
Program Enforcement: Any person subject to this policy who fails to obtain full vaccination, become up to date on vaccination when eligible, or obtain or an appropriate exemption by the established deadline will be unable to be on-site in any capacity, and may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Any unvaccinated person, including those with an approved Religious or Medical exemption, will be subject to additional requirements, including but not limited to heightened masking requirements, and participating in regular testing (every 72 hours for those present on campus). USC will work with the employer or sponsoring institutions of individuals not employed by USC for the management and enforcement of this policy.
Registry and Program Evaluation: Appropriate information about all vaccinations shall be submitted to the California Immunization Registry or such other registries as may be required by applicable public health agencies or University policy.
6. Procedures
Method of submission:
- Faculty, staff, students and other individuals registered through the iVIP system must upload SARS-CoV-2 vaccination administration documentation through the Electronic Health Record (EHR) portal, MySHR.
- Faculty, staff, students and other individuals registered through the iVIP system who have received a vaccination at any USC Pharmacy or healthcare facility or clinic will automatically satisfy the requirement.
- A Religious or Medical exemption form must be completed by the faculty member, staff, or student (or parent/guardian if employee or student is less than 18 years of age) and submitted to MySHR. Please allow 14 days for your Religious or Medical exemption form to be reviewed and approved.
All medical information submitted in course of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program will be kept in a separate confidential file.
7. Forms
Religious Exemption for Required COVID-19 Vaccination
Medical Exemption Request for Required COVID-19 Vaccination:
8. Responsibilities
| POSITION or OFFICE | RESPONSIBILITIES |
| USC Student Health | Maintaining and implementing this policy. |
| SVP of Administration | Authorized to issue official university policy. |
| All faculty, staff, students | Expected to comply with university policy. |
| Contractors and others who perform work or provide services to USC | Expected to comply with university policy. |
9. Related Information
References:
Cal. Health & Safety Code Division 2, Chapter 2, Article 3.5
CDC COVID Vaccination Program Planning Guidance
CDC Vaccine Recommendation Process
Vaccine Distribution Information
Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors
Safer Federal Workforce Task Force Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors
Los Angeles City Ordinance No. 187219
The university will follow state and local guidelines for vaccine distribution. The university will communicate vaccination availability and eligibility, locations, and schedules.
10. Contacts
Please direct any questions regarding this policy to:
| OFFICE | PHONE | |
| COVID-19 Hotline | 213-740-6291 | Covid19@usc.edu |
11. Policy URL:
The policy will be listed at policy.usc.edu. This link may be shared in community messages and on the We are SC website.