The most current COVID-19 bivalent Omicron BA.4 and BA.5-specific booster has been received at IUP Health Service and is available for free to students and employees. IUP Health Service is located in the Center for Health and Well-Being in the Suites on Maple East.
Appointments for the bivalent booster, produced by Moderna, are available 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; appointments should be scheduled by calling Health Service at 724-357-2550 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
According to the Centers for Disease Control: the bivalent COVID-19 booster adds Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components to the current vaccine composition, helping to restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination by targeting variants that are more transmissible and immune-evading.
To receive the bivalent booster, persons must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have completed their primary vaccination
- Have had their primary vaccination/monovalent booster completed at least two months prior to the bivalent booster appointment (please bring your vaccination card to your appointment)
A booster dose of the monovalent is not required prior to getting the bivalent booster.
The primary monovalent COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna dose 1 and dose 2) continues to be available free of charge to students and employees at IUP Health Service; appointments should be scheduled by calling the Health Service.
IUP Health Service continues to provide free COVID-19 testing for students. Walk-ins will be received as time permits, but appointments are preferred and can be made online.
Free COVID-19 home testing kits for students and employees are available for pickup at the Health Service during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
While masking is not required for most IUP buildings and offices, masking is required at IUP Health Service.
IUP will continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control regarding masks/face coverings based on county transmission rates. This status is updated at 8:00 p.m. weekly on Thursdays and is available on the CDC website.
Information on the CDC Community Level County Status will be posted on the IUP COVID-19 Response Plan web page. Please continue to check this page for updates.
As a reminder:
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IUP supports the CDC recommendation to wear a mask if an individual has COVID-19 symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19.
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Free masks are available at building entrances and from IUP Central Stores.
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While wearing a mask is not required in most cases, it remains the expectation that any visitors to individual offices or to residence hall suites and rooms must follow the preference of the people in those offices or living areas regarding use of masks. Every member of the university community should understand, support, and follow the request for masking in an individual’s personal space.
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IUP also supports and respects the individual personal choice to wear a mask or face covering. Anyone who prefers to use a mask is encouraged to do so.
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For students for whom self-isolation has been recommended due to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, housing and care will be offered in Delaney Hall.
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CDC-recommended cleaning and sanitation procedures continue to be followed in our buildings.
The well-being of the IUP community remains the priority and guiding principle for our decision making.
If there is a shift in the pandemic in our communities and the CDC provides updated recommendations related to face coverings or other mitigation efforts, IUP policies will change accordingly.