MiraCosta College COVID-19 Updates

Web Check In

Fall 2021 Reminder  

As a reminder, starting August 23, 2021, all students seeking to receive instructional or support service on campus for an extended time (indoors for 15 minutes or greater), must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they receive an approved medical or religious exemption.

Timetable for COVID-19 Vaccine Verification

Please see the timeline below for the latest dates you may undergo vaccination to meet the two weeks post-vaccination requirement to be cleared for on-campus classes and support services for 8-week late start classes:

• Moderna: September 13 Latest date to get the first shot of the Moderna vaccine; October 11: Second shot of Moderna
• Pfizer: September 20: Latest date to get the first shot of the Pfizer vaccine; October 11: Second shot of Pfizer
• J&J: October 11: Latest date to get the single dose of J&J

July 28, 2021

Dear MiraCostans:
With the rapid spread of the COVID-19 delta variant, we are now beginning to see other state and local agencies mandating vaccines. The City of San Francisco, the state of California, and the Veteran’s administration are recent examples. We now see colleges in our area, university systems, state agencies scrambling to modify their Covid Prevention Plans and requirements. 
 
Thankfully MiraCosta has taken a cautious, thoughtful, and science-based approach to Covid-19 so we remain on the path that we charted several months ago.  So nothing is changing about what MiraCosta is doing - we instituted a vaccine mandate for students to be on campus and for all employees. We continue to collect documentation from employees.  To date, we have received approximately 600 uploads into our Workday system. Human Resources is processing these now. Remember the deadline to upload your vaccine status information is August 23, 2021. 
 
Yesterday, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued new guidance on how to protect yourselves and others when you’ve been fully vaccinated.  While we are in a county that is impacted with high transmission, the county has not yet mandated indoor masks. Once again, this does not change anything at MiraCosta College. We have an indoor mask mandate for all people until we can confirm the vaccination status of all our employees. So throughout the summer, we must wear masks indoors on district property (regardless of vaccination status). 
 
Some of us may have gotten a bit relaxed as we got vaccinated, but this is a formal reminder that our requirement is that ALL people that are indoors at MiraCosta must wear masks. As the county updates its regulations, we will let you know how that may impact MiraCosta in fall. 
 
I want to thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we put the health and safety of our students and employees first. It will take all of us doing our part to keep ourselves and loved ones safe. 

Sincerly, 

Human Resources

Board Policy 5210: Communicable Disease

The MiraCosta Community College District is committed to providing a safe and healthy campus.  The district shall establish administrative procedures necessary to assure cooperation with local public health officials in measures necessary for the prevention and control of communicable diseases.

SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes, COVID-19, is a global pandemic and has resulted in widespread illness and death worldwide, in the United States, and in California. 

In furtherance of this commitment, the district shall establish administrative procedures regarding COVID-19 vaccination to mitigate the risks surrounding exposure to COVID-19. These administrative procedures will require that all students who are on district premises for any face-to-face instructional and student support activities (e.g., office hours, classes, library, tutoring, etc.) have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The district will accept any COVID-19 vaccine that has been Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorized (EUA) and/or has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). Exemptions from these vaccine requirements are specified in AP 5210.

Archieved Communications 

• June 25, 2021 Student communication 
• June 8, 2021 Communication to students enrolled in on ground or hybrid fall 2021 courses

The COVID Vaccine is Available for Everyone Over the Age of 16

Effective April 15, 2021, vaccinations are being provided to everyone age 16+.

Scheduling Your Vaccination Appointment

• Healthcare Provider: If you have a doctor or are enrolled with a local healthcare system, please work with them to schedule an appointment. Many providers are notifying their patients directly with next steps to receive the COVID-19 vaccine based on federal and state guidance.
  
• County Locations: If you are unable to get the COVID-19 vaccine from a healthcare provider, the County of San Diego and its partners are offering vaccinations to individuals in eligible priority groups. Appointment information for County vaccination super stations and PODs is available online at www.VaccinationSuperStationSD.com.

While vaccines have arrived in the region, supplies remain extremely limited. Please be patient—as supply increases, providers will be able to perform more vaccinations. Please note that vaccination appointments are limited and subject to vaccine availability.

Before Your Vaccination Appointment

• Take it easy the night before to ensure potential symptoms are not a result of other unrelated activities.
• Anticipate the COVID-19 vaccines may cause minor side effects in some people, like sore muscles, feeling tired, or mild fever.
• Do not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen in anticipation of potentially having side effects from the vaccine. Taking these medications for the purpose of preventing post-vaccination symptoms is not currently recommended.
• When you go to your appointment, remember to:
  • Watch your distance - stay at least 6 feet away from others.
  • Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.

During Your Vaccination Appointment

• A COVID-19 vaccination card will be given to you when you receive your first dose of the vaccine. It will list:
• The type of vaccine you received.
• The date you received it.
• Where you received it.
• Keep this vaccination card in a safe place and bring it with you to your second dose appointment.
• If you have a smartphone with you, it is recommended you take a picture of your vaccination card in case you misplace the physical card between appointments.
• You will also receive a fact sheet that tells you more about the COVID-19 vaccine you received.
• You will be monitored for allergic reactions on-site for 15-30 minutes.
• You will be advised to register for v-safe for:
• Personalized health check-ins,
• Reminders to get your second dose,
• Quickly tells the CDC if you have any side effects, and after getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Thank you for your ongoing understanding as we strive to provide accurate and timely information in a time of constant fluctuation.  For all other questions or comments, please email HR_Department@miracosta.edu.