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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The Sindecuse Health Center is offering vaccinations to Western ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ University students, employees and retirees who want to protect themselves and the people around them from seasonal influenza.

This year's vaccination, which protects against four strains of the virus, is available to those individuals and their eligible dependents by appointment now at the health center and during clinics planned for October and November.

Vaccination opportunities

To make an appointment to get vaccinated at Sindecuse Health Center, visit wmich.edu/healthcenter or call (269) 387-3287. Appointments are available:

• Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m.
• Thursdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m.

No appointment is necessary to attend the following clinics:

• College of Aviation clinic—Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in 1224 Aviation Education Center, Battle Creek, ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§.
• Employee Benefits Expo (WMU employees only)—Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Bernhard Center, main campus.
• Student drop-in clinic—Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. in the Sindecuse Health Center, main campus.

cost

The Student Health Advisory Council has secured grant funding from the to cover the cost of vaccinations for up to 150 uninsured and underinsured WMU students. Once the funding runs out, WMU students receiving flu vaccinations will be charged $20. Students' dependents may be vaccinated for $30.

WMU employees covered by the University's Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO group 007005281 and their covered dependents 12 years of age or older receive flu shots with no out-of-pocket expense only at Sindecuse or one of the clinics listed above.

Non-benefits-eligible employees and their dependents will be charged $30 per shot.

Flu shots are a covered benefit for WMU retirees with Medicare or Medicare Advantage, as well as those covered under the University's Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO insurance plan. Flu shots cost $30 for retirees without Medicare who are covered under MPSERS.

Methods of payment

Payments are accepted via personal check, cash or, in the case of students, a charge to a University student account. Credit card payments may be made only at the health center.

Sindecuse will bill insurance carriers for students and non-benefits-eligible employees who have provided insurance information. Employees not covered by insurance may use the payroll deduction plan.

Student challenge

All students who have received a flu shot at Sindecuse or elsewhere are encouraged to vote in the , sponsored by the ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ Department of Health and Human Services. The challenge seeks to improve student vaccination rates through a friendly competition among the state's higher education institutions.

Members of the Student Health Advisory Council will be leading an effort to encourage students to get vaccinated and .

For more information, visit wmich.edu/healthcenter or call (269) 387-3287.

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