SXU Health Center The Xavierite
The SXU Health Center offers a variety of vaccines and flu shots available for students on campus, including for adults and children to stay up to date with immunizations.
“Getting an annual flu and COVID vaccine protects vulnerable people around you, especially babies and older adults. Even if you aren’t especially worried about yourself, you can protect your loved one by getting vaccinated,” said Kathryn Schlee MS, FNP-BC, Director of Clinical Services.
COVID-19 vaccines are available at the SXU Health Center. Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 have been available since 2021. Moderna is available for years 12 and older while Pfizer is available for 5-year-olds and older, according to Schlee.
“The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a yearly influenza and COVID-19 vaccine. If you are immunocompromised, you should speak to your doctor because it may be recommended that you a COVID-19 vaccine every 6 months,” said Schlee.
Other standard vaccines offered by SXU Health Center include Hepatitis A/B, Hib, HPV, Influenza, MMR, polio, shingles, ProQuad, meningitis conjugate/serogroup B, and more, according to the SXU website.
“The viruses that cause influenza and COVID-19 mutate quickly. Also, our immunity wanes after these specific inflections and immunizations,” Schlee stated.
“This is why every year there is an updated influenza vaccine and an updated COVID vaccine with strains that are circulating. Every year when you get a new flu vaccine and new COVID vaccine you are getting an immunity boost, but you are also training your immune system to fight the strain that is currently in the community.”
Most vaccines are well-tolerated, though people react differently after receiving shots, Schlee mentioned. Some people may just have a sore arm, while others may develop flu-like symptoms like fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches.
If these symptoms do occur, she recommends taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to decrease levels of symptoms; patients usually begin to feel normal after 24 hours.
Travel immunizations such as Japanese Encephalitis, rabies, typhoid, and yellow fever are available. Other travel immunizations are not typically in-stock, otherwise, orders provided by a Travel Medicine consultant are needed, which typically arrives two business days after placement of order, says the SXU website.
Although insurance does not usually cover travel vaccines, checking with your insurance provider is recommended by SXU. Vaccine pricing will be discussed upon visit. Pre-pays prior to travel immunizations are required based on destination and activity.
Schlee said that she has seen a decrease in students receiving COVID vaccines significantly since 2021, despite the majority of students taking flu shots being from nursing or health-related majors.
According to the SXU website, “all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in more than six credit hours per semester are required to provide immunization records to the SXU Health Center.” Failing to provide these records will result in blocking your semester registration.
The website continues, “International students who have received a vaccine not approved by the World Health Organization may receive an FDA-approved vaccine series at the SXU Health Center.”
Immunizations are usually covered by insurance plans; however, calling your insurance provider is recommended to guarantee no personal payments are required.
Schlee mentioned that COVID vaccines are no longer free to everyone due to the government no longer supplying them. The health center accepts various insurance plans that may cover 100% of their bill; however, if the center is not in network with a student’s plan, they will be referred to somewhere where the vaccine will be covered.
Self-pay rates are offered to students if they decide to pay for any vaccination from out-of-pocket. To find reasonable rates, call SXU’s Health Center for pricing consultations.
Same-day appointments are often available. However, if you are feeling COVID-19 symptoms, calling for an appointment is required.
The SXU Health Center is located at 3925 W. 103rd st at the Driehaus Center. You can schedule an appointment online or call 773-298-3712 during operating hours.
About Post Author
