The UMass Public Health Promotion Center’s (PHPC) mission is to prevent illness and to promote and protect the health and wellness of the campus community as a Health Promoting University. We provide many of the same services and functions of a local health department in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We serve all members of the campus community and partner with local, regional and state health and human service agencies to provide health and wellness opportunities to the campus. We have academic practice partnerships with the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing and the School of Public Health and Health Sciences to allow for robust campus programing and clinical experiences for students. We partner with Student Affairs and Campus Life and Human Resources in supporting students and employees and collaborate with University Health Services in providing clinical services such as screenings and immunizations.
COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine Clinic
The Public Health Promotion Center (PHPC) in partnership with University Health Services and Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, is pleased to announce the launch of our annual Flu and COVID vaccine clinics.
We encourage everyone to get vaccinated to protect yourself and the UMass community. An annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. The PHPC walk-in clinic is offering Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 vaccines throughout the Fall 2024 semester, which are open to active UMass students, faculty, staff and their household members.
The FDA recently approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine formula in August 2024. It is a monovalent formula based on the omicron variant KP.2 strain. All individuals over the age of 6 months are recommended to receive one updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine provided it has been at least two months since their most recent dose.
Please Note: COVID-19 vaccines are no longer provided from the federal government for free, thus insurance will be billed for them. Please reference the University Health Services website to verify if your insurance is accepted to avoid any billing issues. University Health Services is unable to bill Medicare. Individuals who have Medicare for insurance and are not current UMass staff will unfortunately be referred elsewhere for vaccinations.
Please visit vaccines.gov for information about where additional vaccination clinics are also are available, which include health care providers and pharmacies.
Flu and COVID-19 Clinics
All of our clinics accept walk-ins, no appointments needed. Open to everyone 12 years of age and older.
- Thursday Sept. 26th 1:30pm-5:30pm Worcester Dining Commons
- Friday Sept. 27th 10:00am-2:00pm Worcester Dining Commons
- Thursday Oct. 3rd 1:30pm-5:30pm Hampshire Dining Commons
- Friday Oct. 4th 10:00am-2:00pm Campus Center Room 165
- Thursday Oct. 10th 1:30pm-5:30pm Rec Center
- Friday Oct. 11th 10:00am-2:00pm Commonwealth College Events Hall
- Thursday Oct. 17th 1:30pm-5:30pm Berkshire Dining Commons
- Thursday Oct. 24th 1:30pm-5:30pm Webster Hall Lounge
- Saturday Oct. 26th 10:00am-2:00pm Campus Center Room 165
- Thursday Oct. 31st 1:30pm-5:30pm North Apartments Building D Lounge
- Friday Nov. 1st 10:00am-2:00pm Campus Center Room 165
- Thursday Nov. 7th 1:30pm-5:30pm Rec Center
- Friday Nov. 8th 10:00am-2:00pm Campus Center Room 165
- Thursday Nov. 14th 1:30pm-5:30pm Commonwealth College Events Hall
- Friday Nov. 15th 10:00am-2:00pm Campus Center Room 165
- Thursday Nov. 21st 1:30pm-5:30pm Integrated Science Building Atrium
- Friday Nov. 22nd 10:00am-2:0pm Campus Center Room 165
Email phpc@umass.edu if you have questions.
Visit Vaccines.gov for other vaccine locations throughout the region
See the Commonwealth of Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccination website for more information
Staying home to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses (Flu, COVID-19 and RSV)
UMass Amherst follows the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) guidance for respiratory viruses like Flu, COVID-19 and RSV
- If you have symptoms of a respiratory virus (isolation), please follow this guidance.
- If you have tested positive for a respiratory virus (such as COVID-19), but do not have symptoms, please follow this guidance.
- If you were exposed to someone with a respiratory virus illness (exposure precautions), please follow this guidance.
On and off campus students, please follow this guidance if you test positive for COVID-19.
If you have any questions and to report your positive test results for additional public health guidance, please email testing@umass.edu or call 413-577-8888 (messages will be returned Monday – Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM),
Sexuall Transmitted Infection (STI) Screening
Asymptomatic STI Screening is available in the lower level of the Campus Center on Wednesdays during fall semester from 11:30am-3:30pm. The clinic will begin 10/16 and go through 12/4. It will be closed 10/23. Walk-ins are welcome, no appointment needed.
STI screening is recommended by the CDC at least annually for sexually active people. Many STIs do not have any symptoms. Testing is the only way to know if you have HIV or an STI. If experiencing symptoms, please call UHS to schedule an appointment with a provider at (413) 577-5101.
Individuals can test for HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, hepatitis B & hepatitis C. All samples from sensitive areas are self-collected in the privacy of a restroom. Results from HIV tests are available in just 20 minutes, and other test results are typically available within 48 hours.
For bodies with a penis, a urine sample is the best test for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Please do not urinate for one hour prior to your clinic visit.
HPV, Mpox, flu, and Covid-19 vaccines are available upon request at these clinics.
Seeking an Mpox vaccine but have a schedule conflict? Email us at phpc@umass.edu to set up an appointment.
Harm Reduction
Students, faculty & staff can swipe their UCard at the Harm Reduction vending machine located just outside of the PHPC’s offices in room 101 in the Campus Center to receive free Narcan, fentanyl test strips, condoms & masks. Fentanyl test strips are a harm reduction tool used to test drugs for the presence of fentanyl. Fentanyl has been found in cocaine, other party drugs & heroin across the Commonwealth. A positive result means the drug contains the potent opioid fentanyl, the leading cause of opioid overdose related deaths in the US today. For a brief training on the use of Narcan and fentanyl test strips stop by any PHPC sponsored clinic and speak with our staff. To watch a short instructional training video click here.
Naloxone (brand-name Narcan) is a lifesaving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses that has been used safely by EMS in the US for the past 40 years. The opioid epidemic touches us all. We believe at UMass that carrying Narcan is an act of love and that access to this medication should be simple and free. The PHPC in collaboration with UMass Recovery is proud to offer Narcan to our campus and surrounding communities. Our team of passionate student Harm Reduction Ambassadors provide free overdose education training to RSOs, clubs, teams & departments upon request. Click here to request a training.
Tobacco & Vaping Quit Coaching
The PHPC’s Tobacco Treatment Specialist can help you achieve a tobacco free life by developing a quit plan that works for you. The highest success rate for quitting tobacco is seen in those who use combination medication therapies with the support of a quit coach. Let us help you get connected to the resources that you need so you can begin your quit journey.
Resources:
PHPC: (413) 577-8888 OR email at phpc@umass.edu to learn more about how we can support you
1-800-QUIT-NOW: Free Coaching with tobacco treatment specialist and free nicotine replacement therapy for all MA residents over the age of 18. Just call 1-800-784-8669 to set up your first coaching appointment
This is Quitting: Text DITCHJUUL to 88709 to register with a text message-based service aimed at helping you quit vaping. Receive helpful tips and words of encouragement accessible 24/7 just a text away
Tobacco-Free UMass website: UMass Amherst became a completely tobacco-free campus on July 1, 2013. Learn more about the policy at the Tobacco-Free UMass website.