This week’s message includes information about on-campus vaccination clinics for students; an April 13 virtual town hall on vaccines; vaccination clinics for students, faculty, and staff; general details about vaccination clinics; second dose information; and COVID-19 testing hours.
Visit Illinois State University’s Coronavirus website for the most up-to-date information and guidance. Questions can be emailed to coronavirus@ilstu.edu.
Students – Get your COVID-19 vaccine on-campus
There are still appointments available for the on-campus vaccination clinics being held specifically for Illinois State University students today (April 8), Friday (April 9), and Monday (April 12) from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) made available 3,100 additional one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines for these dates.
These clinics are in addition to those already scheduled by the University in collaboration with the McLean County Health Department (MCHD), which are scheduled to continue taking place on Thursdays. Individuals must show their Redbird ID Card upon arrival to the clinic.
REGISTER NOW for a vaccine appointment at one of the times listed below:
Thursday, April 8: Vaccine Type: Johnson & Johnson (one dose vaccine)
Anticipated Doses: 400 (previously scheduled); 1,000 additional doses for ISU students only
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Location: Bone Student Center
Friday, April 9: Vaccine Type: Johnson & Johnson (one dose vaccine)
Anticipated Doses: 700 for ISU students only
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Bone Student Center
Monday, April 12: Vaccine Type: Johnson & Johnson (one dose vaccine)
Anticipated Doses: 1,400 for ISU students only
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Bone Student Center
The IDPH has prioritized college-aged students in various regions throughout the state including Region 2, where Illinois State is located. As COVID-19 cases increase throughout the state and the nation, particularly in younger individuals, IDPH and higher education officials are working to provide increased access to the COVID vaccine for college students. In support of this effort, the MCHD expanded eligibility to any individual 16 and older as of Monday, April 5. Keep in mind that, at present, only Pfizer is authorized for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Virtual Town Hall: COVID-19 Vaccine Facts
The University is hosting a virtual town hall at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, to help the campus community learn more about the safety and science behind the COVID-19 vaccine. Get the facts and have your questions answered by a panel of medical and higher education experts.
The panel will be moderated by Angell Howard, Associate Director of Professional Development and Staff Recognition in the Division of Student Affairs, and will feature the following panelists:
- Danielle Beasley, MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Associate Director for Diversity, Equity, and Outreach, Student Counseling Services - Desha Cobb, M.S., APRN, FNP-BC
Instructional Assistant Professor, Mennonite College of Nursing - Pam Cooper
Director, Career Services - Katie Eichinger, M.D.
Medical Director, Student Health Services - Elaine Hardy, Ph.D., RN
Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Illinois Chicago - Dakesa Piña, Ph.D
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, College of Education
The panel will address vaccine hesitancy and concerns, and provide key facts related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Specific topics include vaccine safety and what to expect when getting the vaccine.
The town hall is open to all students, faculty, and staff, and is in partnership with Mennonite College of Nursing, Department of Health Sciences, Emergency Management, and the Division of Student Affairs. Visit RedbirdLife.IllinoisState.edu for more information and the link to join.
On-campus vaccination clinics for ISU students, faculty, and staff
The registration link for on-campus vaccination clinics will be available at approximately 3 p.m. on Thursdays for the following week (i.e., the link for April 15 will become available at approximately 3 p.m. on April 8). Learn more about clinic dates and REGISTER for a vaccine appointment.
It is possible that the University will receive additional vaccine doses from the McLean County Health Department (MCHD) in advance of an upcoming clinic. There is no guarantee this will happen each week, but individuals are encouraged to periodically check the registration site to see if additional appointments have been added. Please note, the release time for the registration link could change if additional vaccination clinics are added to the on-campus schedule. The University will make every effort to notify the campus community in advance of additional vaccination clinics/registration times.
A “Standby List” registration link will also be added for each clinic. In the event that appointment times become available at the end of a clinic (e.g., cancellations, no shows), individuals on the list will be contacted near the end of the clinic to quickly arrive at the clinic site so that all remaining vaccine doses can be administered. Add your name to available standby lists on the University’s COVID-19 vaccine webpage.
Students and employees are encouraged to seek additional opportunities for vaccination as on-campus clinics are limited based on vaccine availability. In addition to clinics held on-campus, learn more about MCHD and statewide vaccination sites, as well as review a listing of all vaccination sites in Illinois, which includes local pharmacies. There is no requirement that students and employees be vaccinated on campus.
On-campus vaccination clinic details
Going forward, it is anticipated that there will be one clinic per week (currently on Thursdays), staffed by an 18-person Illinois National Guard team for members of the University community. The number of clinics offered may change based on vaccine availability. Clinics will continue to be located in the Bone Student Center. Individuals must show their Redbird ID Card upon arrival to the clinic and be an eligible Illinois State University student or employee to receive a vaccine at an on-campus location.
While participation is not required, all employees are strongly encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Illinois State University remains in constant contact with the MCHD regarding vaccine availability for the campus community. MCHD determines when and how much vaccine the University receives based on the distribution of vaccines from the state and need at the University which is based on guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and on-campus vaccination clinics by reading the FAQs on the Coronavirus website.
Second dose vaccination clinics
Individuals who have received a first dose vaccine at an on-campus vaccination clinic from January–March 19, will receive a prenotification email at their ilstu email from Student Health Services. Information about how to sign up for a second dose will be included in the email.
Going forward, individuals who participate in on-campus clinics that are staffed by the Illinois National Guard will make their second dose appointment at the clinic. Student Health Services will have very limited involvement in clinics staffed by the Illinois National Guard; therefore, an email will not be sent by Student Health Services to individuals participating in Illinois National Guard vaccination clinics.
New COVID-19 testing hours
Antigen testing for asymptomatic students and employees will be available Monday-Friday at the following times and locations:
- 9 a.m.-Noon, Former fire station at 604 N. Adelaide St., Normal
- 1-4 p.m., Temporary building in the parking lot between Watterson Towers and Stevenson Hall
Students and employees are encouraged to participate in bi-weekly COVID-19 testing. Only individuals being tested should enter a testing center.
Students experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms or who believe that they were exposed to a person with COVID-19 should contact Student Health Services at (309) 438-7676 for direction regarding quarantine and/or to schedule an initial screening and make an appointment to be tested. Symptomatic employees should contact their healthcare provider for testing or to make an appointment.
PCR COVID-19 testing remains available for students, faculty, and staff at the Interstate Center testing site, which has recently reduced days of operation due to changes in public demand. Students testing at this site should share positive test results with Student Health Services by uploading them to the Secure Patient Health Portal. Sharing test results will ensure students have proper documentation for classes, housing, and/or employment.
Visit the Student Health Services website for the most up-to-date information about testing.
