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COVID-19 Information for UC San Diego

Last Updated: July 16, 2025 10:51:19 AM PDT
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Current COVID-19 information and resources.

COVID Testing

The free COVID-19 testing program for employees will end on April 30, 2025. Vending Machines will be repurposed by various Departments and some will be removed. If you are a student and need testing, please visit Student Health Services COVID-19 Resources. Employees should contact their healthcare provider.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that can be very contagious and can spread quickly. The virus spreads mainly from person to person when an infected person breathes out droplets and particles that contain the virus, and other people can breathe in these particles and can become sick. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some become severely ill. For more information about how it’s spread, symptoms, testing, treatments, and recommendations, please visit the CDC pages on COVID-19 Information and Respiratory Virus Guidance.

Options for COVID-19 Testing

The free COVID-19 testing program at UCSD will end April 30, 2025.  If you need to get tested for COVID after April 30, 2025 you may;

  • Contact your healthcare provider.
  • Visit your local drug/retail store.
  • On campus, the UCSD Bookstore and Target may sell rapid test kits.
  • Find a testing site in your community.

All students and employees have access to COVID self-administered test kits through over two dozen vending machines located across campus. Each vending machine is stocked with PCR test kits, rapid antigen tests and some vending machines provide masks. Students and employees can obtain up to 2 items from the vending machine daily using their campus ID cards.

Sample pickup schedule:

PCR test samples are picked up Monday through Friday. They are picked up at 12 pm Monday - Thursday; and the last pickup for the week is Friday at 10:00 am. Please do not drop off any PCR samples over the weekend, as they will be invalid tests. Campus holidays may affect pick-up times and days. Please check this page for holiday pick-up schedule updates.

Rapid Antigen tests are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the vending machines. 

Vending machine locations

Locations: Vending Machines can be found on the UC San Diego app or on the map by selecting "Locations," "Services" and clicking on "COVID Test Kits."

Please note: The following list is only effective until April 30, 2025. On May 1, 2025 some vending machines might be decommissioned, moved, repurposed or removed.

  • Muir College | Roots Restaurant (map) 
  • Seventh College | Next to the Parcel Center (map)  
  • Nuevo East (Porton) | Outdoor Gym Area (map) 
  • Price Center | First Floor Across from Burger King (map)* 
  • Thurgood Marshall College Res Halls | TMC Residence Life Lobby (map) 
  • Warren College | Across from the Residence Life Office (map) 
  • Eleanor Roosevelt College | Next to the Laundry Room at Student Activity Center (map) 
  • Village at Pepper Canyon | Lodge (map) 
  • South Mesa | 9126 Laundry Room (map) 
  • One Miramar | Next to the Parcel Center (map) 
  • School of Medicine | Biomedical Research Facility II (map) 
  • Revelle College | Argo Hall Parcel Center (map) 
  • Campus Services Complex | Electric Shop (map) 
  • South Parking Structure | Level 3 West Entrance (map) 
  • Scripps Institution of Oceanography | Eckart Building Loading Dock (map) 
  • Jacobs School of Engineering | Near Bear Statue (map) 
  • Gilman Parking | Corridor of Pepper Canyon Hall (map) 
  • Coast Apartments | Laundry Room (map) 
  • North Torrey Pines Living and Learning Neighborhood (map) 
  • Rita Atkinson Residences (map) 
  • Torrey Pines Center South | Second-floor breezeway near shuttle (map) 

How to use the vending machines:

If you have trouble with any vending machine, please email EHS-PH@ucsd.edu and include 1) the vending machine location and 2) the error message you received. If one vending machine gives you an error, you can still try using other vending machines across campus.

Based on your vending machine selection you will need the following;

Rapid Antigen Tests Kits OR Masks

  • Only your campus photo ID

For PCR Test kits

Step 1. Touch screen to begin.

Step 2. Swipe or tap your ID.

  • Test kits are FREE, but a virtual $1.00 debt will appear on your campus card, followed by an immediate $1.00 credit.

Step 3. Select number slot corresponding to the item you want to obtain.

  • Some machines ask you to select the item first before swiping card. If you get an error, try again by switching step #2 and #3.

Step 4. The vending machine will dispense a test kit that includes a test kit, swab, test tube and instructions of use.

Step 5. Leave the vending machine area to take your test.

For PCR tests

  1. Open the UC San Diego app on your smart phone
  2. Select Scan Your COVID-19 Kit
  3. Confirm that the app captured the bar code
  4. Follow instructions to complete your nasal swab

Once done, return to any vending machine for drop-off

  1. Remove the test tube from the clamshell and droop the sample vial on the drop box labeled “DROP SCANNED VIALS ONLY”
    1. Drop off days/hours - Monday to Friday. Last pickup for the week is Friday at 10am.
    2. DO NOT drop off your samples over the weekend. Any sample dropped on the weekend or on a UCSD holiday will not be processed.
  2. Recycle the clamshell by depositing in the labeled recycling bin. COVID Test Kit Plastic Container Bin is right next to the sample drop box.

For Rapid Antigen Tests

  1. Follow the instructions provided on the test kit.
  2. If positive,
    1. employees – take a picture of it with your campus ID and upload it to MyChart
    2. students – report your positive result to MyStudentChart

If You Test Positive for COVID-19

If you test positive for COVID-19 please follow the guidelines recommended by the CDC to Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Viruses when your are sick and find out about your options as a UC Campus employee by visiting the Sick Leave/Bereavement page.

Vaccine Mandate

The UC Vaccination policy currently applies. Vaccination remains one of the best ways to protect yourself from infection and severe disease. Visit the following links for information and guidelines about UC San Diego's vaccination policy:

Faculty & Staff (including Volunteers & Student Employees)
To remain “fully vaccinated,” campus employees are required to have completed their initial vaccination series and a booster dose within 30 days of becoming eligible. If you are eligible for a booster but recently were positive for COVID-19, you will have up to 90 days after being infected to receive your booster. Your date for boosting has been extended by up to 90 days to remain compliant with the UC mandate. At this time, a second booster dose is not required to remain compliant with the UC Vaccine Mandate.

Compliance
To meet the COVID-19 vaccination mandate, the university must confirm all campus members are fully vaccinated. Your vaccination information is securely housed in your employee health record. Only the vaccination status will be shared; clinical details will not be shared with the university.

Vaccination Status Definitions


What does it mean to be fully vaccinated?

  • You have received a booster shot and it has been 7 days or more since your booster shot, or
  • You have received the complete initial vaccination dose(s) and you are not yet eligible for a booster.
  • At this time, a second booster dose is not required to remain compliant with the UC Vaccine Mandate.

What is considered not fully vaccinated?

  • You have received a booster shot and it has been less than 7 days since your booster shot;
  • You have received a complete initial vaccine series and are eligible for a booster shot, but have not yet received one;
  • You did not complete the initial vaccine series;
  • You have not received any vaccines.

If you haven’t already done so, please submit your COVID-19 vaccination documentation as soon as possible.

 
Documenting your COVID-19 vaccination or booster received outside of UC San Diego Health.

Please follow the instructions listed below.  

  1. Log into MyUCSDChart (employees).
  2. Click on the Menu and select COVID-19 under the My Record header.
  3. Click on Update within the blue box titled, “Not seeing your COVID-19 vaccine?” If your vaccine is documented within the state registry, it will automatically appear. If the "Update" button does not appear, navigate to the "Immunizations" page in the Menu to input your booster information there.
  4. If your vaccine is not documented within the state registry, click on the blue Enter Vaccine Details button.
  5. On the next screen, choose Yes to indicate you’d like to enter vaccination documentation and type in the numerical number of vaccine doses you intend to report (you can enter first and second doses as well as booster information).
  6. Answer the questions below about your vaccination, including manufacturer and date administered.
  7. Upload a photo of your COVID-19 Vaccination Record card by choosing the Attach a document button. Once uploaded, select Continue.
  8. Review the information you have submitted to ensure accuracy, then select Submit.
  9. You will see a green confirmation box with a message about next steps. Please allow up to one week for your record to be updated.

Vaccine declination process

In accordance with recent updated State guidelines, UC Office of the President (UCOP) has issued changes to align the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The mandate still requires employees to be vaccinated with the primary series plus the latest booster recommended by the CDC and/or CDPH. The vaccine mandate now allows employees who want an exemption to follow a process that mimics the flu declination.

To report or decline a COVID vaccine, go to MyUCSDChart. You will complete the UCSD EMPLOYEE AND STUDENT ONLY - Vaccine Questionnaire.

Students

The UC Vaccination policy currently applies to students. For more information on vaccine mandate deadlines,  submitting vaccine records, and exemptions visit the Health Requirements for Students page.

Resources

Faculty and staff: Contact your doctor or medical professional.

Students: Contact Student Health Services, (858) 534-3300.