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Campus Health and Safety Protocols and Vaccination Clinic

October 03, 2023
Student Affairs

To: The Campus Community
From: Kevin M. Gilmartin, Vice President for Student Affairs
David A. Tirrell, Provost
Thomas F. Rosenbaum, President


As we mark the start of the 2023-24 academic year, and welcome a renewed flurry of research, learning, and social activities across campus, we write to reinforce the importance of the Institute's health and safety protocols. This is particularly relevant as public health officials have noted an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Los Angeles region. Officials also expect to see a continued increase this winter in other communicable illnesses, the result of elevated circulation of the RSV and flu viruses, along with the SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The health and well-being of all members of the campus community remains a priority in Institute planning and policy. To this end, we detail important campus guidelines below.

General Campus Health Protocols and Vaccine Clinic

Caltech encourages all members of the community to actively monitor their health and well-being, and to stay home or limit contact with others when ill. Caltech also encourages community members to remain up to date with their COVID-19 and flu vaccines, in accordance with CDC guidelines. 

In support of this, the Institute will make available a limited supply of the flu shot (both the version appropriate for individuals ages 3 to 64; and ages 65 and up) and the monovalent COVID-19 vaccine for 2023-2024 (Moderna and Pfizer formulas) to members of the campus community at an on-campus vaccination clinic at Avery House on October 10, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Appointments are required. Please note that only a limited quantity of the Moderna vaccine will be available on-site and it will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Flu shots and the COVID-19 vaccine, administered in partnership with Vons Pharmacy, will be available at no cost to faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, students, and retirees, who present a completed consent form, COVID-19 card (if applicable), and Caltech ID. Additional information on the clinic is available on the Human Resources website.

Caltech will continue to monitor conditions on campus and in the broader community and will update campus health protocols as appropriate. The Institute provides daily updates on reported COVID-19 cases on the COVID-19 Dashboard.

COVID-19 Reporting and Isolation Requirements

Students and employees who test positive for COVID-19 are required to report their illness to Student Wellness Services through the Caltech COVID-19 Reporting Application. 

  • Individuals with a confirmed infection must isolate for a minimum of 5 days and continue doing so until their symptoms have abated or are improving. 
  • Students are responsible to notify faculty of their isolation, and request necessary accommodations. Student Wellness Services will verify an individual's isolation status at the request of faculty. 
  • Employees should notify their managers of illness and isolation status, and contact the leave unit at [email protected] should they need assistance.  

Students living in campus housing will be asked to isolate in place. Roommates will receive instructions on how to arrange for temporary relocation during the isolation period.

Preventative Measures: Masks and Testing

The Institute continues to provide all members of the campus community with:

  • Free COVID-19 PCR tests through UCLA SwabSeq's voluntary community surveillance testing program.
  • Same-day, symptomatic testing through Student Wellness Services. Community members may request an appointment for symptomatic testing by calling 626-395-6393. While testing capacity may be limited, appointments are available 8-9 a.m. and 1-2 p.m., Monday through Friday. 
  • Free N95 and KN95 masks, available for pick-up with a Caltech ID at the Caltech store.

Thank you for your continued cooperation with the Institute's health protocols, and for your support of community wellness. We look forward to a healthy and rewarding year ahead.