Immunization Requirements & Records

CCA does not currently require proof of immunizations or vaccines. However, the college encourages all members of our community to consult with their healthcare providers / medical professionals about which vaccines are best for them.

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 healthinsurance@cca.edu

According to the CDC, chickenpox is a highly 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.

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)

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2. It can be very contagious and spreads quickly. Over one million people have died from COVID-19 in the United States.

COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. COVID-19 may attack more than your lungs and respiratory system. Other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill.

Some people including those with minor or no symptoms will develop Post-COVID Conditions – also called “Long COVID.”

COVID-19 Vaccine

According to the CDC, everyone 6 months and older should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine.

People aged 65 years and older who received 1 dose of any updated COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech or Novavax) should receive 1 additional dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the previous updated dose.

Note: As of January 2024, the college’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement changed from required to strongly recommended for all staff, faculty, and students.

• COVID–19 Information for the CCA Community

General Information

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

• COVID-19

Additional information for students on the CCA Student Insurance Plan (coverage provided Aetna):

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

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Some people, such as people 65 years and older, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at higher risk of serious flu complications.  There are two main types of influenza (flu) viruses: types A and B. The influenza A and B viruses that routinely spread in people (human influenza viruses) are responsible for seasonal flu epidemics each year.

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).

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

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from influenza. A full listing of people at Higher Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications is available.

Flu vaccination has important benefits. It can reduce flu illnesses, visits to doctor’s offices, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as make symptoms less severe and reduce flu-related hospitalizations and deaths in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.

Please contact 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)
• What is the difference between Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19?

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.

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.

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.

Monkeypox Vaccine

CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and people who may be more likely to get monkeypox, which includes:

• 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

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)

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.

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.

Tuberculosis Vaccine

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) disease. This vaccine is not widely used in the United States. However, it is often given to infants and small children in other countries where TB is common. BCG does not always protect people from getting TB.

In the United States, BCG is only considered for people who meet specific criteria and in consultation with a TB expert. Health care providers can consult their state or local TB control program for questions about BCG vaccination for their patients.

General Information

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

• Tuberculosis (TB)