Latest Updates

May 2, 2024

New Masking Guidance for UCSF

As of May 1, at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and May 6 at UCSF West Bay campuses, face masks are no longer routinely required across all areas of the University. Face masks are required only in areas where direct patient care is delivered during the following time periods:

• During the annual respiratory viral season, from November 1 to April 30 and 
• During sustained periods of high community transmission of respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza.  

Outside of these periods, wearing face masks is optional in areas where patient care is delivered. UCSF Fresno should follow its local or institutional policies for masking.  

Read the full message from Josh Adler, Chief Clinical Officer, UCSF Health.

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April 1, 2024

UCSF COVID-19 Policy and Guidance remains UNCHANGED. While the March 1, 2024, Respiratory Virus Guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is intended for general public and community settings, UCSF follows and adheres to stricter guidelines in accordance with health care systems and high-risk congregate settings. For this reason, you may notice a difference in guidance when reading CDC information and should always follow UCSF guidance.

The CDC recommends:  

• If you are 65 years and older, you should receive one additional dose of any updated COVID-19 vaccine at least four months following the previous dose of updated COVID-19 Vaccine. Updated COVID-19 vaccine references the 2023–2024 Formula COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer-BioNTech). 
• Immunocompromised individuals should follow a COVID-19 vaccination schedule guided by a health care practitioner based on their age and vaccination history. 

For specific details and all other situations, refer to the CDC website. 

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January 23, 2024

Monovalent COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement 

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, all members of the UCSF community, including employees of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, are required to obtain the latest monovalent COVID-19 vaccine or decline vaccination by March 1, 2024.

To meet the requirement and align with University of California policy, please take one of the following actions:

• Use the Digital Screener to attest that you have received the vaccination or plan to receive it, or upload documentation of vaccination to the Occupational Health Portal (VPN required). 
• Complete a declination either through the Digital Screener or OHS Portal.

Read the full message from Josh Adler, Chief Clinical Officer, UCSF Health.