University Health Initiative: COVID-19 and Flu Immunization Clinics
The following was sent to all members of the Boston University Community on Thursday, September 19, 2024 from Dr. Judy Platt, MD, Chief Health Officer and Executive Director of Student Health Services.
Dear Members of our Boston University Community,
Welcome back to campus as we embark on another exciting academic year together. At the Chief Health Office, the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff are our top priority. Please see below for information about our COVID-19 policies, upcoming Flu and COVID-19 Immunization Clinics, general information about respiratory illnesses, and where to order a free rapid antigen COVID-19 test.
COVID-19 Policy
The University COVID-19 vaccination policy can be found on the Chief Health Office webpage and is also below.
- General Population: We strongly recommend that everyone stay up to date with CDC COVID-19 vaccination recommendations.
- Healthcare personnel working in Boston University DPH-licensed healthcare facilities: DPH-licensed healthcare personnel are required to have an up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination or submit a declination after reviewing the risks and benefits of vaccination.
- Medical, Dental, and Physician Assistant Students: These students will be required to have an up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination or submit a declination after reviewing the risks and benefits of vaccination.
COVID-19 and Flu Immunization Clinics
We recommend everyone stay up to date with annual COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. To help protect our community, COVID-19 and flu immunization clinics for students, faculty, and staff, are scheduled throughout the fall semester, beginning on the Medical Campus on September 30. Students may use Patient Connect and employees may visit the Occupational Health Center website to schedule their vaccination appointments on the Medical Campus now. Appointments for Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations on the Charles River Campus will open on Tuesday, October 8.
Guidelines for Respiratory Illness
We encourage you to protect yourself and others from getting sick this fall and winter. Free rapid antigen COVID-19 tests will be available for households through the US Government. Order a test online at the end of September.
If you are sick with a respiratory virus, including COVID-19, please stay home until your symptoms improve. MA Department of Public Health guidelines have evolved to align COVID-19 with other common respiratory diseases like influenza. It is recommended to stay home and away from others until your symptoms are improving and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours. If you need to be around others while feeling ill, please wear a mask while you are experiencing symptoms and for at least 5 days if you test positive for COVID-19. Healthcare personnel continue to have specific return to work guidelines.
Wishing you all a healthy academic year ahead,
Judy T. Platt, MD (she/her)
Chief Health Officer and Executive Director
Student Health Services
Boston University