Sindecuse Health Center offers seasonal influenza vaccine

KALAMAZOO—The Sindecuse Health Center is offering vaccinations this fall to Western Michigan University employees, students and retirees who want to protect themselves and the people around them from seasonal influenza.

Vaccinations will be administered in Sindecuse to those groups, as well as their eligible dependents, on a walk-in basis starting Monday, Sept. 9, during the following times:

• Mondays, 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays, 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesdays, 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m.
• Thursdays, 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m.
• Fridays, 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m.

In addition to walk-in vaccinations at the health center, a flu vaccination clinic will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the College of Aviation, 1224 Aviation Education Center, Battle Creek, Mich.

Cost varies for students, employees and retirees

The cost for flu shots varies. Students receiving flu vaccinations will pay $18 and non-benefits-eligible employees and their dependents will pay $25.

Benefits-eligible WMU employees covered by the University's Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan PPO group 007005281 and their covered dependents 12 years of age or older receive flu shots with no out-of-pocket expense only when they get their shots at Sindecuse or the College of Aviation clinic. Again this year, the University is covering the employee expense for flu vaccination. A picture ID and insurance card should be presented to receive a flu shot.

For WMU retirees, flu shots are a covered benefit for those with Medicare or Medicare Advantage and for those without Medicare who are covered under WMU's Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO insurance plan. Flu shots cost $25 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. 

Employees not covered by insurance may use the payroll deduction plan. Sindecuse will bill insurance carriers for students and non-benefits-eligible employees who have provided insurance information. Credit card payments may be made only at the Health Center.

For more information, visit the Sindecuse Health Center online or call the center's nurses' station at (269) 387-3393.