March 2 - What is an mRNA vaccine? Booster shot reminder

What is an mRNA vaccine?

Philip Felgner, director of the UCI Vaccine Research & Development Center, answers that question in today’s UCI COVID Minute video.

COVID-19 booster vaccine reminder

All UCI students, staff and faculty, with few exceptions, are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, per UC Office of the President policy.

Students should upload their vaccination booster record at the UCI Student Health Center patient portal.
Student FAQs
Employees should upload their booster verifications at the Occupational Health upload portal.
Faculty and staff FAQs

Researchers find fewer low-cost air pollution sensors in disadvantaged communities

Despite a significant increase in the number of low-cost air pollution sensors across the state, UCI researchers have found that a smaller quantity was distributed in communities with lower socioeconomic status and higher proportions of racial/ethnic minority populations. According to the first-ever study’s findings, which were published by the American Journal of Public Health, there is a lack of functioning air sensors in areas with greater levels of ambient fine particulate matter, which is known to increase the risk of adverse health effects such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases and pregnancy problems.

Beating the odds: Help for advanced colorectal cancers

When colorectal cancer isn’t discovered early, all too often the prognosis can be grim. For James Kazak, skilled, aggressive treatment by UCI Health surgical oncologist Dr. Maheswari Senthil has put his stage IV colon and rectal cancer into remission. “The prognosis for patients with this type of stage 4 cancer is getting better and better,” she says.

UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS

White House unveils new COVID strategy

The White House unveiled its long-awaited new coronavirus response strategy today, a 96-page plan aimed at turning the corner on the worst public health crisis in a century, while preparing for the next threat. Part of the strategy, which will require new funding from Congress, would accelerate research into vaccines that could be deployed within 100 days of the arrival of a new variant.

Most Americans say coronavirus not yet under control

A Washington Post-ABC News poll finds that most Americans want some restrictions on normal activities to remain in place to try to control the coronavirus. Public wariness of the pandemic lingers even as federal health officials and a growing roster of governors have softened mask advice, according to the nationwide survey, which also finds bipartisan majorities think the virus is only "somewhat under control" or "not at all" controlled.

EVENTS

The Right to Deny Online Activities
Friday, 11 a.m. (sponsored by Information and Computer Sciences)

Community-Based Research as a Movement Strategy to Eliminate Environmental Health Disparities
Friday, 3:30 p.m. (sponsored by Black Thriving Initiative and Center for Environmental Health Disparities Research)

UCI Symphony Orchestra - Winter 2022
Friday, 7 p.m. pre-concert discussion; 8 p.m. performance (sponsored by UCI Music)

Note: new opening date for 17th Annual Juried Undergraduate Exhibition
Saturday, opens at noon, reception at 2 p.m., continues through March 18 (sponsored by Claire Trevor School of the Arts)

Visit today.uci.edu to see and submit event listings. Events of general interest will be shared in UCI Digest two days before they occur.

UCI IN THE NEWS

Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register and The Washington Post for students, faculty and staff.

Rising gas prices from Russia-Ukraine conflict will hit Angelenos who can least afford it

Los Angeles Times, March 1
Cited: Eric Swanson, professor of economics

Watching footage from Ukraine? Here's how to protect your mental health.

Mashable, March 2
Cited: Alison Holman, professor of nursing and psychological science, and Roxane Cohen Silver, Distinguished Professor of psychological science, medicine and public health

What Is Universal Basic Income?

U.S. News & World Report, March 1
Cited: Aaron James, professor of philosophy

#UCICONNECTED

Chancellor Howard Gillman welcomes a student back to UCI housing in September as Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Willie Banks (right) looks on. Instagram/@ucirvine photo by Steve Zylius / UCI

Share your memories and shoutouts to mark pandemic’s second anniversary

March 11 will mark two years since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a global pandemic. As the anniversary approaches, we’d like to hear your most memorable stories, lessons and anecdotes. This is also your chance to give a shoutout to a colleague or an organization that helped you or just show them some extra love. Please send text and/or photos you’d like us to consider publishing to ucidigest@uci.edu or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.

#UCIconnected spotlights student, alumni, faculty and staff photos, essays, shoutouts, hobbies, artwork, unusual office decorations, activities and more. Send submissions via email or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.

COVID-19 NOTIFICATION AND RESOURCES

One new campus case

On Tuesday, UCI recorded one new case of COVID-19, a student. For more information, visit the UCI COVID-19 dashboard.

Upload your vaccine and booster records

Student Record Upload

Employee Record Upload

Potential workplace exposure

UCI provides this notification of a potential workplace COVID-19 exposure. Employees and subcontractors who were in these locations on the dates listed may have been exposed to the coronavirus. You may be entitled to various benefits under applicable federal and state laws and University-specific policies and agreements. The full notification is available on the UCI Forward site. If you have been identified as a close contact to a COVID-19 case, the UCI Contact Tracing Program will contact you and provide additional direction.

For COVID-19 questions

UCI Forward - information on campus status and operational updates

UCI Health COVID-19 Updates - important information related to UCI Health

UCI Health COVID-19 FAQs

UCI Coronavirus Response Center - available at covid19@uci.edu or via phone at (949) 824-9918

Contact Tracing and Vaccine Navigation Services - assistance with vaccines and vaccine uploads; available at contacttracing@uci.edu or via phone at (949) 824-2300

Program in Public Health chatline - answers to questions about COVID-19

For questions specific to your personal health situation, please contact your doctor or healthcare provider.