Immunization Requirements & Records

The college encourages all members of our community to consult with their healthcare providers / medical professionals about which vaccines are best for them.

• CCA does not currently require proof of immunizations or vaccines.
• Note: As of January 2024, the college’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement changed from required to strongly recommended for all staff, faculty, and students.

Recommended Vaccines & Immunizations

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Vaccines for Adults
• Immunization Schedules

California Department of Public Health:

• Recommendations for Immunization and Screening Requirements for California Colleges & Universities

Additional Information

• Vaccine-Preventable Adult Diseases
• 5 Reasons It Is Important for Adults to Get Vaccinated
  
  
• Where to Find Vaccines

Questions?

• Employees (faculty & staff): Email hr@cca.edu
• Students: Email student-affairs@cca.edu

CCA continues closely monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and follows the guidance and recommendations of public health agencies. Our top priority remains the health, safety, and well-being of our CCA community, as well as our neighbors and loved ones at home.

For COVID-19 related information, please visit:

• COVID–19 Information for the CCA Community

Additional information for students on the CCA Student Insurance Plan

• Aetna: What you need to know about COVID-19
• Aetna: COVID-19: Patient coverage FAQs

According to the CDC, chickenpox is a most contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever. Chickenpox can be serious, especially in babies, adults, and persons with weakened immune systems.

It spreads easily from infected persons to others who have never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine. Chickenpox spreads in the air through coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread by touching or breathing in the virus particles that come from chickenpox blisters.

Chickenpox Vaccine

The best way to prevent chickenpox is to get the chickenpox vaccine. (See Chickenpox Vaccine below.)

Chickenpox used to be quite common in the United States. In the past, about four million persons would acquire the disease each year, and about 10,600 persons would have to be hospitalized -- and 100 to 150 died each year because of chickenpox. Now a chickenpox vaccine has changed all that.

• The chickenpox vaccine protects you against an uncomfortable and sometimes serious disease.
• The CDC recommends two doses of chickenpox vaccine for children, adolescents, and adults. Two doses of the vaccine are about 98 percent effective at preventing chickenpox.
• When you get vaccinated, you protect yourself and others in your community. This is especially important for persons who cannot get vaccinated, such as those with weakened immune systems or pregnant women.
• Some persons who are vaccinated against chickenpox may still get the disease. However, it is usually milder with fewer blisters and little or no fever.

General Information

For more information, please review the following Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) site:

• Chickenpox (Varicella)

We strongly encourage students to take preventive measures to limit the spread of flu in our community.

If you become ill, it is important to avoid attending classes or public events until you are well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends remaining in your residence hall or at home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (without the use of medications that reduce fever, like Motrin or Tylenol).

Prevention

Here are simple, quick steps proven to be effective in preventing acquiring the flu:

• Get the seasonal flu vaccine. (See Flu Vaccination below)
• Use good hand hygiene. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are equally effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid casually touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Avoid close contact, such as hugging or kissing, with others who are ill.
• If you become ill, limit your contact with others to keep from exposing them.

Flu Vaccine

• Aetna PPO/One Medical members: Please obtain your Aetna card online from aetnastudenthealth.com. Then register on One Medical's site (email healthinsurance@cca.edu to retrieve the school code!) and make an appointment with a One Medical clinician to receive the flu vaccine. Flu vaccinations are free for members.
• Non-Aetna PPO members: Please call your primary care physician to schedule an appointment for a flu vaccine. Many local pharmacies, such as Walgreens and CVS, also offer flu vaccine on a drop-in basis during the flu season.

General Information

For more information, please review the following Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) site:

• Influenza (Flu)

According to the CDC, meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges. The inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Meningitis may develop in response to a number of causes, usually bacteria or viruses, but meningitis can also be caused by physical injury, cancer, or certain drugs.

The severity of illness and the treatment for meningitis differ depending on the cause. It is important to know the specific cause of meningitis.

Meningitis Vaccine

According to the CDC, the most effective way to protect yourself against certain types of bacterial meningitis is to complete the recommended vaccine schedule.

• Teens who got the meningococcal vaccine for the first time when they were 13, 14, or 15 years old should still get the MCV4 booster shot when they are 16 years old.
• If you didn't get the meningococcal shot at all, you should talk to your doctor about getting it as soon as possible.

General Information

For more information, please review the following Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) site:

• Meningitis

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.

Monkeypox was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. Despite being named “monkeypox,” the source of the disease remains unknown. However, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) might harbor the virus and infect people.

The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, monkeypox had been reported in people in several central and western African countries. Previously, almost all monkeypox cases in people outside of Africa were linked to international travel to countries where the disease commonly occurs or through imported animals. These cases occurred on multiple continents.

Prevention

Take the following steps to prevent getting monkeypox:

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
  • Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
  • Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
• Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used.
  • Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
  • Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.

In Central and West Africa, avoid contact with animals that can spread monkeypox virus, usually rodents and primates. Also, avoid sick or dead animals, as well as bedding or other materials they have touched.

Vaccination

CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and people who may be more likely to get monkeypox.

People more likely to get monkeypox include:

• People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with monkeypox
• People who are aware that one of their sexual partners in the past 2 weeks has been diagnosed with monkeypox
• People who had multiple sexual partners in the past 2 weeks in an area with known monkeypox
• People whose jobs may expose them to orthopoxviruses, such as:
  • Laboratory workers who perform testing for orthopoxviruses
  • Laboratory workers who handle cultures or animals with orthopoxviruses
  • Some designated healthcare or public health workers

The vaccine is currently in very limited supply. Public health departments are working hard to get the vaccine to providers throughout communities. If you have been exposed to monkeypox and might be eligible for the vaccine, please check for vaccine access based on your county of residence.

• San Francisco Department of Public Health: Monkeypox Vaccine information
• California Department of Public Health: Information for Local Health Departments (LHDs)

What do I do if I have been exposed?

You will know if you have been exposed to monkeypox in any of the following ways:

• If you are contacted by someone at the public health department
• If you are told you've had direct contact with someone who has tested positive for monkeypox or been informed that they likely have monkeypox
• If you went to a party or gathering where you found out later that someone had monkeypox.

For more information about caring for yourself at home: People with monkeypox who do not require hospitalization should follow CDC’s Isolation and Prevention Practices for People with Monkeypox.

General Information

For more information, please review the following Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) site:

• CDC - Monkeypox

For additional information, please review the following San Francisco Department of Public Health Monkeypox Guidance:

• SFDPH - Monkeypox

According to the CDC, tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidneys, spine, and brain.

If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.

Tuberculosis Testing & Diagnosing

According to the CDC, TB tests are generally not needed for persons with a low risk of infection with TB bacteria.

Certain persons should be tested for TB bacteria because they are more likely to get TB disease, including those who:

• have spent time with someone who has TB disease
• with HIV infection or another medical problem that weakens the immune system
• have symptoms of TB disease (fever, night sweats, cough, and weight loss)
• are from a country where TB disease is common (most countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia)
• live or work somewhere in the United States where TB disease is more common (homeless shelters, prison or jails, or some nursing homes)
• use illegal drugs

Learn more about TB Testing & Diagnosing.

Your health care provider should choose which TB test to use.

General Information

For more information, please review the following Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) site:

• Tuberculosis (TB)