Western Illinois University Spring ’22 Vaccine Clinics (Including Boosters), Testing, KN95 Masks Available
MACOMB/Moline, IL – The McDonough County Health Department, in cooperation with Western Illinois University, will host two COVID-19 vaccination clinics (including boosters) for WIU faculty, staff and students, as well as members of the general public, Jan. 25 and Feb. 22. Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be available at no cost.
Vaccine Clinics
Booster recommendations are in place for the COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States. Individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. First and second shots, as well as boosters, will be available at the WIU campus vaccination clinics.
The clinics will be held in the University Union Sandburg Lounge from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25 and Tuesday, Feb. 22. The McDonough County Health Department will also continue to host vaccine clinics, which include Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and J & J boosters, at the former Farm King building on East Jackson Street. Information can be found at the McDonough County and Rock Island County health department at https://getyourcovidshot.com (McDonough) and https://richd.org (Rock Island). Statewide vaccine clinics can be found at bit.ly/WIUCOVID19VaxInfo.
WIU encourages members of the University community to take advantage of the free vaccination clinics. Supervisors are authorized to approve up to 60 minutes of release time from work for an employee to receive the vaccine. Proof of vaccination/appointment, presented to the supervisor, will be required to utilize the release time. Time off needed beyond 60 minutes should be reported as sick or vacation leave.
Gateway Testing
WIU will continue with gateway testing for the remainder of this week and next week. Testing is required one time per week for all students, faculty, and staff* who are physically on WIU’s campuses. Additional information regarding the next phase of the weekly testing plan will be communicated next week.
WIU-Macomb, Student Recreation Center MAC Gym (south gym)
Tuesday-Thursday, Jan. 18-20: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Monday-Thursday, Jan. 24-27: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Macomb faculty, staff and students should schedule in advance for an appointment at bit.ly/WIUCOVID19Testing.
WIU-Quad Cities, Riverfront Hall reception desk
Monday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays; and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays
* Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days do not need to participate in gateway or weekly testing and should submit their documentation to studentcovidhelp@wiu.edu.
More information regarding the University’s testing plan can be found at wiu.edu/vpas/risk_management_and_emergency_preparedness/coronavirus/campus/testing.php
KN95 Mask Distribution
To help ensure the health and safety of the WIU campus communities and the public, face coverings are required in indoor settings at both the WIU-Macomb and WIU Quad-Cities campuses (http://www.wiu.edu/policies/covid_facecovering.php).
While KN95 masks are not required on WIU’s campuses at this time, the use of these specific masks are encouraged. WIU will provide one KN95 mask to students, faculty and staff.
Faculty, staff and students can pick up their KN95 mask, along with a WIU cloth mask, at the following locations on the WIU-Macomb and -Quad Cities campuses:
WIU-Macomb: University Testing Center & University Union Service Center
WIU-Quad Cities: Riverfront Hall reception desk
Boosters
Booster recommendations are in place for the COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States. Individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Booster shots will be available at the WIU campus vaccination clinics.
• For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, a booster shot at five months or more after their initial series is recommended.
• For individuals who received a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, a booster shot at five months or more after their initial series is recommended.
• For individuals who received a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are recommended for those who were vaccinated two or more months ago.
CDC’s recommendations now allows this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.
See below on how to upload your booster information to the University.
Proof of Vaccine Card Upload
Visit bit.ly/WIUVaxCardPortal to upload your COVID-19 proof of vaccination card. Students (undergraduate and graduate students, including graduate assistants and teaching assistants) should upload to the “Student” portal, while WIU employees should upload to the “Employee” portal.
Following your booster shot, individuals should submit updated information to the University. Members of the campus community can send an updated picture of their COVID-19 vaccination card to the following:
Students: beuhealthcenter@wiu.edu
Employees: rmep@wiu.edu
If individuals do not wish to upload the information, the vaccination card can be presented at the following locations: WIU-Macomb students: Beu Health Center; WIU-Macomb Employees: Sherman Hall 321 (Vice President for Student Success Office); WIU-Quad Cities Students & Employees: Riverfront Hall reception desk.
Go West Bus Service
Face coverings are required for all riders on Go West buses. While food and drink can be consumed on buses, face coverings can only be moved down when actively eating or drinking and then moved back into place immediately.
Information
COVID-19-related information and protocols can be found at wiu.edu/coronavirus and click “Return to Campus.”
