Category: Health and Safety

Get your flu vaccine today at Student Health, now available to students, staff and faculty. Bring your insurance card or pay privately ($25 + administration fee). Healthy Equity Fund may assist with out-of-pocket expenses. Walk-ins welcome or make an appointment by calling 316-978-4792 or students can make an appointment through the myShockerHealth portal.

Staff, students and faculty can get flu vaccines with Student Health Services. Those interested should bring an insurance card or pay privately ($25 and administration fee). Healthy Equity Fund may assist with out-of-pocket expenses. Walk-ins are welcome or make an appointment by calling 316-978-4792. Students can make an appointment through the myShockerHealth portal. 

Get your flu vaccine today at Student Health, now available to students only. Bring your insurance card or pay privately ($25 plus administration fee). Healthy Equity Fund may assist with out-of-pocket expenses. Walk-ins welcome or make an appointment through the myShockerHealth portal or by calling 316-978-4792.

U.S. households will be eligible to order four free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. The COVID-19 tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year. The site will also provide instructions on how to read COVID at-home tests and finding COVID tests in your community.

U.S. households will be eligible to order four free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. The COVID-19 tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year. The site will also provide instructions on how to read COVID at-home tests and finding COVID tests in your community.

Extreme heat is defined as summertime temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average. Protect yourself and others when it’s hot outside by staying cool, staying hydrated and staying informed. Learn more about extreme heat and other health advisories.

UV index safety and resources

• Do not burn or tan: Avoid intentional tanning.
• Seek shade: Get under cover when sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Wear protecting clothing: Long-sleeved shirts and pants, wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Generously apply sunscreen: Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Apply sunscreen generously. Apply 15 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours or after swimming, sweating or toweling off.
• Check the UV index every day: The higher the UV index, the more you should do to protect yourself from the sun. When planning outdoor activities, follow EPA’s safety recommendations.
• Protect those at risk from UV rays: Children, the elderly and those with special needs may be more sensitive to the sun. Babies younger than six months should be protected from the sun using hats and protective clothing.

Medication take back is now available every day at Student Health. Bring any unused or expired medication for safe disposal to Student Health Services in the Student Wellness Center any time between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also pickup medication disposal bags to take for free at the Student Wellness Center.

2023-24 seasonal influenza vaccines and updated 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccines have arrived at Student Health Services. WSU faculty, staff and students — make your appointment now, while supplies last.

Everyone 6 months and older is recommended to receive one dose of updated influenza and mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The new COVID-19 vaccine formula targets the variants that are currently circulating in the United States. Who is eligible for the Flu and COVID-19 vaccines at Student Health Services?

• Ages 18 and over
• Currently enrolled WSU students
• Current WSU employees
• Must be at least 10 days past a positive COVID test or COVID-19/influenza-like symptoms.

How to get your vaccination?

• Appointments are required. Call 316-978-4792 to schedule.
• Bring your current health insurance card to use your possible free immunization benefits. If SHS is considered out of network with your insurance, you may have out-of-pocket costs.
• Allow 15 minutes to sit and wait after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.

How much do the vaccinations cost?

• Flu Vaccines – $25, plus administration fee
• 2023-24 COVID booster vaccine – Pfizer Comirnaty – $125, plus administration fee

Other COVID-19 vaccination locations in the Wichita Community: vaccines.gov/search

• When searching on the site, uninsured or underinsured persons should be sure to click the box for “Bridge Access Program Participant” while searching for a vaccine using this site. This program provides no-cost COVID-19 vaccines to adults without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs. There are 19 pharmacies or health departments in the Wichita area that are authorized participants of this program.

There are many reasons to love the winter season, holidays, snow and sweater weather to name a few. However, one thing people do not love about winter is the flu season. The tips and resources below will help you to protect yourself and others and help stop the spread of germs:

• The best way to stay healthy during flu season is by getting the flu vaccine each year.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, wear a mask and keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Flu viruses spread mainly by droplets from cough and sneezing.
• Wash your hands often. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs can spread when a person touches something contaminated with germs and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.
• Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
• If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick.

For questions or to make an appointment with Student Health Services, call 316-978-4792.

As Kansas expects freezing weather, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) offers advice on how to stay safe and avoid cold weather-related health issues:

• Wear appropriate clothing: Hat, scarf or mask that covers face/mouth, a water-resistant coat, gloves, several layers of loose-fitting clothing and water-resistant boots.
• Pay special attention to most-affected body parts: Nose, ears, toes, cheeks, chin and fingers.
• Know the signs: If a person’s temperature is below 95 degrees, they should seek medical attention immediately.
  • Hypothermia: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness
  • Frostbite: Redness or pain on skin may be the first sign of frostbite. Other signs include a white or grayish-yellow area on skin, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness
• Monitor those at high risk: Although anyone can experience hypothermia and frostbite, some individuals are at a higher risk.

For questions, contact Student Health Services at student.health@wichita.edu or call 316-978-4792.