Most influenza activity occurs from October to May in the United States, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. To provide extra protection during flu season, Rice will provide on-site flu vaccinations to all faculty, staff and students. Students will need their medical/pharmacy insurance to receive the vaccine at no cost.
All full-time students are expected to have the flu vaccine completed prior to registration for the spring semester. Students should keep a copy of their vaccine record. A random audit will be completed in October. Students do not need to submit the forms unless requested. Students with vaccine exemptions on file at Student Health may use those for the flu vaccine.
The flu vaccine will be covered for free for students presenting valid medical/pharmacy cards. Students may pay up front for the $225 COVID-19 vaccine and will be given a receipt to submit to their insurance companies. COVID-19 boosters will also be available for free to benefits eligible faculty and staff.
The vaccines will be offered in the Rice Memorial Center. The schedule is as follows with the last appointment 15 minutes before the end of each session:
- Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Appointments have first priority and may be scheduled online. Walk-in appointments will be accommodated if time permits. There will be a separate faculty/staff line, so please enter the correct queue upon arrival.
To expedite the administration process, print, complete and bring the filled-out consent form (English, Spanish). Participants should bring their Rice ID and the consent form.
For those who cannot attend one of these sessions, the university urges employees and students to receive their vaccinations at a network pharmacy within their medical plan. Most plans offer the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster at no cost.
As a reminder, anyone who is experiencing cold or flu symptoms should get tested for COVID-19. While there might be a low risk of severe illness, others in the community or workplace could be more vulnerable. Students can schedule an appointment with a physician at Student Health Services and receive a free COVID-19 test. Select COVID-19 test kits are available for a copayment to Rice employees enrolled in an Aetna medical plan via their pharmacy benefits. At the end of this month, free COVID-19 testing will be available through government programs. More information can be found on covidtests.gov.
If illness is affecting anyone’s mental health, support is available. Students can contact Rice's Student Wellbeing Office at 713-348-3311, employees can contact the Employee Assistance Program and those enrolled in Rice's employee health insurance can use Teladoc services.