A nursing handing a vaccination record card to someone.

Vaccination Information

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination is the most critical and accessible way to protect yourself and those around you. Vaccines are safe, effective and free for everyone. WMU strongly encourages COVID-19 vaccination for students, faculty and staff to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death. In accordance with the University's campus safety protocol, students and employees must test regularly at the Fetzer Center unless they are fully vaccinated (14 days past their final dose) and have had their vaccination status verified by Sindecuse Health Center.

How to get vaccinated

Vaccines are widely available both on and off campus and are free of charge regardless of your health insurance or immigration status. There are three vaccine options available in the United States. You can learn more about possible side effects on the CDC website. 

On-campus options

A student wearing a mask getting a COVID-19 vaccine in the SRC.

Vaccines are available for current students, faculty, staff and their dependents daily at Sindecuse Health Center. Make an appointment online or call (269) 387-3287. 

Off-campus options

Vaccines are available in a variety of locations, including pharmacies, grocery stores and other providers. 

Registration and verification process

Sindecuse Health Center collects vaccination status from students, faculty and staff on a voluntary basis. This information is held in your secure, privacy-protected health record separate from other University records. A voluntary vaccination status report, when verified, allows the University to offer incentives to those reporting a vaccination.

Once you have completed the registration and verification process, you no longer need to complete the daily health survey. Those whose vaccination record is uploaded and verified in the health center's patient portal will not be subject to the University's weekly testing protocol for students, faculty and staff who are not fully vaccinated (14 days past their final dose) and have not had their vaccination status verified by Sindecuse Health Center. 

Providing false or fraudulent documents regarding vaccination status is a violation of the student code and University policy. Individuals will be considered vaccinated only after their vaccination status is confirmed. Documentation regarding vaccination status and responses to the COVID-19 health screening will be maintained as protected health information under the HIPAA regulations.

On-campus vaccination

If you received the complete COVID-19 vaccine at the Sindecuse Health Center or the Student Recreation Center outreach clinic (both doses for a two-shot series), your vaccination status will be automatically verified. We will notify you by secure message that you’re verified and eligible to receive any incentives offered by the University.

International vaccines

At this time, only people who have received all recommended doses of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine or WHO-listed COVID-19 vaccine are considered fully vaccinated. If you received a vaccine not yet approved by the FDA or WHO, please consult Sindecuse Health Center.

Off-campus vaccination

If you received the vaccine elsewhere, you will need to upload your COVID-19 vaccination documentation to the Sindecuse Health Center's secure patient portal. If you were vaccinated in Michigan, your vaccination status will be confirmed by Sindecuse through the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR). Vaccinations given in Michigan may take up to five business days to process.

If you were vaccinated outside of Michigan, a CDC vaccine card is not sufficient proof. You will need to obtain your official vaccination records from your local health department or primary care provider. You may receive a request for additional information via secure message from Sindecuse staff. Out-of-state verifications may take 10 days to process. 

  • How to register your vaccination on the secure patient portal

    If you are fully vaccinated, you may register your vaccination status on the patient portal. Once you log in, you will find menu items on the left (on a desktop) or under the main menu on a mobile device.

    1. Take a photo or convert your vaccination files to a JPEG image file for easiest upload.

    2. Log in to the WMU patient portal.

    3. Click the "Immunizations" menu item near the bottom of the list.

    4. On the Immunizations screen, click the button that says "Add Immunization Record" just below the page title. You’ll be prompted to select the image of your vaccine card with the administration dates shown and upload it.

      Note: If you did not receive a vaccination in Michigan, a CDC vaccine card or vaccine appointment confirmation letter is not sufficient documentation. Contact your local health department or the vaccine provider to obtain official vaccination records showing full name, date administered and brand of vaccine received.

    1. You must click the “Save Records” button to complete the upload and prompt the verification process to begin. See the “Verification” section above for processing times.

    2. Once your immunization record has been reviewed and verified, your COVID-19 immunizations will show in the patient portal. 

    If you have trouble uploading your record of vaccination, send a secure message to a nurse through the patient portal. 

    Video of SHC Vaccine Registration
  • What if I lost my vaccine card?

    You can request a copy of your vaccine record from the county in which you were immunized. If you received a vaccination from a primary care provider, they will have a record of your immunization. You also may upload as documentation a copy of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services request form that you send to the county. Sindecuse staff members are able to check your record if the immunization occurred in Michigan. Staff will process these as they are able, but your verification may be delayed under this approach.

  • Privacy concerns

    When you upload a COVID-19 immunization record, you are allowing health center staff to include you in a list of those eligible for a WMU incentive award. No health information will be shared with other entities. Only the information required to identify you to receive an award will be shared, which may include your full name and WMU email address. No health information will be shared with other entities unless allowed under health privacy law and regulations.

    If you want to remove yourself from the incentive program completely, please add a comment to your upload that says "No incentive" so your name can be removed.

 

Health considerations

In general, people are considered fully vaccinated:

  • Two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer or Moderna vaccines).

  • Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine).

Breakthrough infections

Infections occur in a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated and these infections tend to be mild. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms or if you had contact with a person who is a confirmed COVID-19 case, please call (269) 387-3287 before going to Sindecuse Health Center to discuss your symptoms and need for screening.

If you have had close contact with a household member, intimate partner or caregiver in a non-health care setting who has tested positive or is under investigation for COVID-19, you should monitor your health. Call your health care provider right away if you develop symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath).

  • A woman wearing a shirt that reads: I vaccinate for: Myself, my family, my friends, my partner, my peers, my instructors, my coworkers, my campus.

    We’re showing our gratitude

    Fully vaccinated? You’re eligible for a $5 coffee gift card! Students will also be entered to win scholarships throughout the fall semester.

    Learn about vaccination incentives

  • A plane on the tarmac.

    Traveled internationally?

    If you traveled outside the U.S. this summer, you’ll need to follow some additional guidelines before returning to campus.

    Learn about international travel guidelines

  • A woman wiping down classroom tables.

    Keeping campus healthy and safe

    We have made a number of changes to provide students, faculty and staff with a healthy space in which to learn, live and discover.

    Learn about campus health and safety