With cold and flu season officially here, I want to remind the University community of the availability of COVID-19 tests and opportunities on and off campus to get vaccinated against both influenza and COVID-19. As always, good hygiene practices are essential to minimizing the spread of infectious diseases, and we recommend all community members follow these prevention tips from the Barnes Center at The Arch.
In today’s update I will address:
COVID Tests Available by Mail and On Campus
This fall, every U.S. household may place an order to receive four free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. Visit covid.gov/tests to order your supply today.
Vending machines offering low-cost, self-administered tests continue to be available across campus. To find out where they are located, visit Syracuse.edu/staysafe. Tests can also be purchased through the Barnes Center Pharmacy.
Note: The Flowflex tests available from campus vending machines have expiration dates that have been extended through January 2024. The current expiration date for any at-home test can be looked up by referencing the lot number on the packaging on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website [PDF].
Vaccination Opportunities for Students
On-campus flu vaccine clinics for students, offered through the Barnes Center, begin next week and will run through November. Students should visit the Patient Portal to see available dates and times and schedule their appointment.
Due to nationwide shipping delays, the Barnes Center does not currently have a supply of the latest COVID-19 vaccine. For immediate access, students should visit vaccine.gov to search in their area or visit a local pharmacy, many of which have a supply of the COVID vaccine.
Vaccination Opportunities for Faculty and Staff
The next on-campus flu vaccine clinic for faculty and staff, offered through Human Resources in partnership with Wegmans Pharmacy, is Wednesday, Oct. 25. Learn more and schedule an appointment online.
Similar to the Barnes Center, Wegmans is also impacted by the nationwide shipping delays of the COVID vaccine. Wegmans was able to offer a limited supply of COVID vaccines at last Friday’s employee flu clinic and will continue to offer them, as available, to faculty and staff registered for on-campus flu vaccine clinics. There is no guarantee of COVID vaccine availability. When supplies improve, additional faculty/staff clinics offering both flu and COVID vaccines will be announced.
In the meantime, faculty and staff can elect to receive vaccines at their doctor’s office and/or local pharmacies. Faculty, staff and their dependents enrolled in the University’s employee health plan can obtain free vaccines at in-network pharmacies, or through their participating provider’s office, by showing their Excellus BlueCross BlueShield or Optum Rx identification cards. With questions, contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042 or hrservice@syr.edu.
The University continues to monitor all developments related to COVID, influenza and other communicable diseases. As always, you will continue to receive messages if there is any new or pertinent public health information to share.
Sincerely,
Ramesh Raina
Professor, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences
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