Flu Shots Available at the Health Center for 2024-25

Western Michigan University’s health center offers seasonal influenza immunizations to students, full- and part-time employees, retirees and other eligible individuals (including dependents 12 and older of full-time employees, retirees and students). Vaccinations will be administered by appointment at the health center, and at two outreach clinics in the fall. High-dose shots will be given to those age 65 and up.

Flu-shot appointments

Sindecuse Health Center will be administering a trivalent vaccine which protects against three strains of the influenza virus. The flu shots offered this year are preservative-free. Patients age 65 and older will be given the high-dose vaccine when available. Appointments are available:

• Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:15 p.m.
• Thursdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:15 p.m.

It's easy to schedule an appointment to get a flu shot. Visit the patient portal, login and navigate to 'appointments'. Select the Flu Shot option.

Updated COVID-19 vaccination

A newly-released version of the COVID-19 vaccine is available as well, alone or in combination with a flu shot. When making an appointment on the patient portal, carefully choose the kind of immunization(s) you are seeking. Flu shot alone, Flu + COVID, or if only seeking COVID, choose "Immunizations" from the appointment menu and write in "COVID".

Outreach clinics

There will be two drop-in clinics hosted on campus in the fall administering flu shots only (not COVVID-19 vaccine).

• Nov. 13 at the Benefits & Wellness Expo for employees from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Student Center. 
• Nov. 14  at 2207 Student Center for a student-only clinic from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Using insurance

WMU employees covered by the University’s Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and the Blue Care Network HMO and their covered dependents age 12 or older receive flu shots with no out-of-pocket expense at Sindecuse or one of the drop-in events. In all cases, insurances will be billed first.

For WMU retirees, flu shots are a covered benefit for those with MPSERS, Medicare or Medicare Advantage and for those without Medicare who are covered under WMU's Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO insurance plan. For non-benefits-eligible employees, or those without insurance the flu shot will cost $65 per dose. For those 65 or older who receive the high-dose vaccine, the out-of-pocket cost is $102. 

For students, most insurances cover the cost of the flu shot. 

Grant-funded flu shots available

For students without insurance coverage, or students with out-of-state Medicaid plans, the Alana's Foundation is providing a limited number of doses for those seeking a flu shot. Ask a Patient Access staff person or a nurse about the program. In the past nine years, the foundation has funded protection against influenza for 995 WMU students!

COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 immunizations may be paid for by a patient's insurance. The usual health center insurance participation requirements apply. Blue Care network members are not covered for a COVID-19 vaccine at the health center. The out-of pocket cost at the health center is $178. COVID vaccines are widely available from community providers and pharmacies.

Questions should be directed to the health center appointment line at (269) 387-3287.