Dear SSU community,
The California State University system announced today that all faculty, staff, and students across its 23 campuses, including Sonoma State University, will be required to have a COVID-19 booster on file to access campus facilities in spring 2022.
This new requirement for COVID-19 boosters follows research demonstrating that the protective immunity of the vaccines wanes overtime, and boosters can help to significantly protect against contracting COVID-19 and severe illness.
Roughly 90% of our SSU community is currently vaccinated against COVID-19, and we have been able to keep our community safe and healthy as a result. Boosters are important to helping protect ourselves and our communities as the pandemic continues to evolve, and to helping ensure a healthy and engaged start to our spring semester.
While the new requirement is going immediately into effect for students and non-represented employees, represented employees will not be subject to the requirement until the CSU concludes its meet-and-confer process with labor unions. However, all members of the campus community may voluntarily get their booster shot as soon as possible and certify by uploading that information. Given the urgency of this message and the winter closure of campus beginning tomorrow, December 23, we ask that you read this message carefully, as there are certain actions you may need to take no later than February 28, 2022.
COVID-19 Boosters Required
At SSU, all students and non-represented employees eligible for the COVID-19 booster will be required to have their booster on file by Monday, February 28, 2022, to be considered fully vaccinated.
Individuals are considered fully vaccinated for six months after their final dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or for two months after receiving the dose of a single-dose vaccine, and without a booster. However, if you completed your two-dose vaccine more than six months before February 28, 2022, or your single-dose vaccine more than two months before February 28, 2022, you will no longer be considered fully vaccinated, per CSU policy definitions, and will need to get a booster.
We urge all eligible students, faculty, and staff to take time during the winter break to make an appointment to receive the vaccine booster. Consult your healthcare provider or visit MyTurn.ca.gov to find a vaccine clinic near you. Many pharmacies and clinics are currently offering boosters, and individuals may choose any of three authorized boosters, regardless of their original vaccine, according to the CDC. Additional information about the COVID-19 vaccine can be found at COVID-19 California. Also, in January, students will be able to schedule an appointment to receive a booster at the Student Health Center.
- Students who are eligible to get a booster and do not get a booster will no longer be considered fully vaccinated, and will be required to have a negative COVID-19 test on file with SSU at least every seven (7) days.
- Faculty and staff who are eligible to get a booster and do not get a booster will be required to have a negative COVID-19 test on file with SSU at least every seven (7) days.
Those who are not yet eligible to get a booster
Those who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer series less than six months prior to February 28, 2022, or have received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine less than two months prior to February 28, 2022, are NOT YET eligible for a booster, and will not be entered into the weekly testing protocol until their date of becoming eligible for a booster. There is no action these individuals need to take at this time, other than make an appointment to get a vaccine booster when they become eligible and continue to follow public health protocols to protect themselves and others.
Medical and religious exemptions
Those who have been approved for a religious or medical exemption to COVID-19 vaccine requirement will continue to adhere to the SSU’s current testing requirements for unvaccinated individuals and the university-wide face mask policy.
As always, please refer to SSU’s COVID-19 website for information and updates, including guidance about how to keep yourself and others safe during the ongoing pandemic. If you have questions regarding COVID-19 vaccinations or COVID-19 testing, please email covid.monitoring@sonoma.edu.
Thank you for taking action to protect your health and the wellbeing of our entire Seawolf community.
With gratitude,
Judy K. Sakaki
President