COVID-19 testing still available at MDL

COVID-19 testing remains available at the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (MDL), 4174 S. Oliver, building 174H, for all students, faculty, staff and the general public at no cost.

Need a test? Self-scheduled appointments are available Monday through Thursday 7 a.m.-4 p.m. or Friday 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Guaranteed results within 24 hours of receiving the test.

Changes made to Wichita State’s COVID-19 services May 11 

Based on current COVID-19 trends, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services let the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration expire at the end of the day May 11, 2023.

While COVID-19 is not gone, public health conditions have improved to a point where COVID is effectively being self-managed. Federal and state government funded healthcare for COVID-19 will end.

What does this mean at Wichita State University?

Beginning May 12, Student Health Services (SHS) will no longer support free COVID-19 walk-in testing or vaccinations for the WSU community. While on-campus COVID-19 services will still be available, patients may become financially responsible for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations that were previously fully covered by federal/state funding during the public health emergency.

How does COVID-19 testing change at WSU?

  • Asymptomatic walk-in testing for COVID-19 will no longer be provided at SHS.
  • Symptomatic, by appointment testing for COVID-19 may be provided by WSU Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (MDL) while CARES funding and supplies last. While this option is still in effect, COVID testing can still be obtained at no additional charge through Student Health, by appointment only.
  • Symptomatic testing for COVID-19 requires an illness appointment with the SHS providers.
    • WSU students will continue to have the same access to appointments at Student Health Services and can use their personal health insurance benefits or pay for services by other means. Uninsured students will have access to lower cost services.
    • WSU faculty and staff will have access to appointments through the new Student Health Services Faculty/Staff Acute Care Clinic. Appointment eligibility and payment information are available. WSU faculty and staff will be financially responsible for services provided.
  • COVID-19 testing remains available at the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (MDL), 4174 S. Oliver, building 174H, for all students, faculty, staff and the general public at no additional charge.

How do COVID-19 vaccinations change at WSU?

 COVID-19 resources

As pandemic emergency expires, WSU transitions campus, website messaging

As the United States looks toward the May 11 expiration of the public health emergency related to COVID-19, Wichita State is beginning the process of updating the website, campus signage and Student Health Services operations to reflect the transition away from the emergency phase.

We appreciate your patience as we move forward with this process. Stay tuned for further communication.

If you have questions regarding COVID content on your department or office website, please contact your supervisor.

Bivalent COVID boosters available at SHS

Student Health Services has received the new Pfizer Covid-19 bivalent booster vaccinations and is ready to start administering shots to those who are eligible.

To be eligible for the new Pfizer booster at SHS, individuals must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be 18 years or older.
  • Must have completed at least a two-shot primary series of COVID-19 vaccinations using any approved vaccine, including Novavax.
  • Must have received their last COVID-19 shot at least two months ago. The last shot could be a primary series or booster.
  • Must wait three months after recovery from COVID-19 infection.
  • Must be currently enrolled WSU or WSU Tech students, staff or faculty, household members, and Innovation Campus partners.

The new bivalent booster targets both the original coronavirus and Omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5 that are causing almost all new COVID-19 infections in Kansas.

COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots are available at no additional charge to the Wichita State campus community. WSU’s Student Wellness Center vaccine walk-in hours are listed below.

COVID-19 original series Pfizer vaccines and bivalent booster shots are available at no additional charge to the Wichita State campus community. WSU’s Student Wellness Center vaccine walk-in hours are listed below.

  • Monday: 9-11 a.m.
  • Tuesday: 2-4 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 2-4 p.m.
  • Thursday: 9-11 a.m.
  • Friday: 2-4 p.m.

Please bring your WSU ID, COVID vaccine card, and completed Covid Dispense Assist Form.

To find the new COVID-19 bivalent booster, you can search for a location near you.

SHS soon to provide new COVID booster shots

Student Health Service’s walk-in vaccine clinic is open and will soon begin offering the new Bivalent booster – free of charge – for WSU and WSU Tech students, employees, families and innovation partners 18 and older.

Supplies of the new booster have not yet been made available to Wichita State, but once they are, that will be communicated to the campus community. In accordance with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, no other COVID boosters are available at this time.

For information on receiving first or second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, email heather.stafford@wichita.edu.

For more information, go to the SHS website.

The Sedgwick County Health Department will continue to provide a vaccine clinic for all eligible ages, featuring the first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 14 at Charles Koch Arena.

View COVID vaccine clinics available during August

The Sedgwick County Health Department will continue offering COVID vaccine clinics during the month of August. To find the locations of the clinics and to view hours of operation, please visit the Wichita State Student Health Services vaccine website.

Image of two members working in lab at MDL.

Wichita State extends free COVID testing

Wichita State University’s Molecular Diagnostics Lab will continue to offer free COVID-19 testing to the public through December 2022.

The MDL, which opened in October 2020, was built in response to COVID-19 as a lab that could test large quantities of specimens with a short turnaround, allowing for precise quarantine and treatment of those infected and mitigating the spread of the virus.

Sedgwick County COVID vaccine clinic available today

The Sedgwick County Health Department will host its next COVID vaccine clinic 9 a.m.-1 p.m. today, July 27, at Charles Koch Arena.

Anyone receiving a first dose or boosters of the COVID vaccine at the Charles Koch Arena vaccine clinic will receive a $50 Visa gift card.

The clinic, run by Sedgwick County, offers the Pfizer vaccine for ages 5 and older, and the J&J vaccine for ages 18 and up. Walk-ins are welcome, and the vaccine is free. No ID or insurance are required. Bring your COVID vaccine cards for documentation.

Members of the Wichita State campus community are also able to receive vaccines at the Student Health Center. More information can be found at the link below.

Get a COVID vaccine and earn $50 gift card

Beginning June 8 and running each Wednesday during the month of June, anyone receiving a first dose, second dose or boosters of the COVID vaccine at the Charles Koch Arena vaccine clinic will receive a $50 Visa gift card. Times for this special incentive are 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

The clinic, run by Sedgwick County, offers the Pfizer vaccine for ages 5 and up, and the J&J vaccine for ages 18 and up. Walk-ins are welcome, and the vaccine is free. No ID or insurance are required. Bring your COVID vaccine cards for documentation.

COVID safety reminders for campus community

As we continue to co-exist with COVID-19, it’s important to remember best practices for remaining safe for ourselves and those around us.

Wichita State continues to provide the following preventative services:

Masking while indoors on campus is still strongly recommended, as is proper hand washing and staying home when sick.

Thank you for your continued diligence.