STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
Cold Self Care Kit
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine 2008
Pharmacies
Meningitis - New State Regulations
Discount Pharmacy Programs, Mail Order Services
Proper Disposal of Needles and Syringes-New State Regulations
Pandemic Flu Information
Emergency Contraception, the Morning after Pill
Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, availability
Annual Flu Shots
Meningitis Vaccine Available
Immunization or Health Record Request
STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) Testing
Although Health Services does offer STD testing, many health insurance policies do not cover this testing. Please consult with your health insurer's member service's department to find out if you have this coverage. This phone number is usually on your membership card. If you are not covered you may want to use one of the STD clinics that provide free testing. It is possible to take the MBTA to the clinics listed in Boston.
Massachusetts STD Clinics that provide free testing
Cold Self Care Kit
You may pick up your self care kit at Health Services. It contains a pain reliever, decongestant, throat lozenges, and cough drops.
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine 2008
A limited number of Flu shots will be available to high-risk students only. These will be administered on a first come, first serve basis at Health Services. If you meet the following requirements, please call x2182 now to be placed on a list. You will be notified when the vaccine is available.
At this time, you are eligible for the flu vaccine if you:
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Have chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma.
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Have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the past year due to chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes), kidney disease, blood disorders, or weakened immune system (including immunosuppression caused by medications or HIV).
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Have any condition (spinal cord injury, seizure disorder or other neuromuscular disorder) that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions, or that can increase the risk of aspiration.
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Are 18 years old or younger and receiving long-term aspirin therapy.
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Are pregnant during influenza season.
Pharmacies
We do not have a pharmacy on campus. It is the student's responsibility to obtain their own ongoing prescriptions from the pharmacy. Most medications prescribed by Health Services for common illnesses, are provided.
For your convenience, prescriptions can be called into or transferred to the following pharmacies:
Walgreens (within walking distance)
1065 Truman Highway
Hyde Park, 02136
617-361-1811
Shuttles go to:
CVS
Cobbs Corner
95 Washington Street
Canton, MA
781-828-5125
Brooks
Cobbs Corner
4 Washington Street
Canton, MA
781-821-0515
New State Regulations-Meningitis
As of May 2007, ALL NEWLY ENROLLED FULL-TIME RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS MUST SHOW PROOF OF IMMUNIZATION OF MENINGITIS VACCINATION OR WAIVER.
Meningococcal Info and Waiver (PDF)
Undergraduate students must also have:
Discount Pharmacy Programs and Mail Order Services
Prescription Medications by Mail, Alternative to monthly pharmacy refills
Most health plans include a mail service benefit. When you use this benefit, you can get a 3 month supply of your medication with each refill, free delivery, and usually reduced cost. This saves you time and money, and you don’t have to go to the pharmacy monthly. After your initial enrollment, future prescription refills can be ordered by phone and in most cases online. If you take medications on a long-term basis for conditions such as asthma, diabetes, birth control, or want to use this benefit, please consult with your health insurer's member service's department to find out if you have this coverage. This phone number is usually on your membership card. You will need to complete the enrollment forms and include a 3 month prescription from your healthcare provider. Unfortunately if you only have the school insurance, there is no prescription drug benefit.
If you are on monthly prescription medications and have the student health insurance through Chickering or another insurance that does not cover prescription medications, you might be eligible for one of these programs.
Walmart and Target $4 Generic Drug Program
Wal-Mart and Target offer over 300 different generics available for $4 per prescription fill or refill (up to a 30-day supply). The program is available in most states at all Wal-Mart, Target, Sam's Club and Neighborhood Market pharmacies. For a completet list of eligible drugs, go toWalmartor Target
Pharmacy Reward Discount Card
This is a free card that qualifies you for a discount on most prescription medications when presented to a participating pharmacy. To obtain your card and a list of pharmacies, go to http://www.pharmacyreward.com/needymeds/.
RX Outreach
A 90 day supply of certain medications listed on their website is available for a $20 or $30 administration fee. Eligibility is based on household income and size. For applications, eligibility and more information, go to http://www.rxoutreach.com/.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Is the largest private-sector effort to connect low-income, uninsured or underinsured patients to prescription assistance programs, many of which provide medicines for free or nearly free. It is a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Go to https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php to see if you are eligible for one of their programs.
Proper Disposal of Needles and Syringes-New State Regulations
If you're one of the many people in Massachusetts who use syringes to manage your health care at school or home, here's what you need to know about the safe use and disposal of needles, syringes and lancets (sharps).
Be Smart. Use a Sharps Container.
A sharps container is a single-use container that is filled with used medical needles and then disposed of safely. These can be obtained through Health Services. Please come by and pick one up.
Be Aware.
Needles, syringes and sharps containers may not be thrown in household trash or recycling bins. These items must be disposed of properly. You may drop off your sharps containers at Health Services for proper disposal.
State Sanitary Code: (M.G.L. Chapter 111, Section 127A)
Improper disposal of infectious or physically dangerous medical or biological waste may result in penalties of up to $25,000 or two years in a corrections facility.
Possession of Hypodermic Syringes and Needles in the (M.G.L. Chapter 94C, Sections 27, 27A)
Disposal of syringes must be done safely and responsibly.
Pandemic Flu
Flu Terms Defined
Seasonal (or common) flu is a very contagious, respiratory illness that can be transmitted from person to person by coughing and sneezing. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.
Avian (or bird) flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. It can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available.
Pandemic flu occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity, and for which there is no vaccine. The disease spreads easily from person-to-person, causes serious illness, and can sweep across the country and around the world in a very short time
Resources for more information
How to Protect Yourself Against The Flu
Handwashing
Cough Etiquette
Flu Symptoms
Self Treatment
Travel Information
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Flu Website
CDC Flu Website
Emergency Supply List
Emergency Contraception, the Morning after Pill
The emergency contraception (EC) pill, Plan B®, is now available in pharmacies without a prescription to women and men ages 18 and older. You will need to go to the pharmacy counter and show ID to confirm your age in order to buy it. Women under 18 can still get Plan B with a prescription.
Gardasil (the HPV Vaccine) availability
Gardasil is the recently approved vaccine to help guard against diseases that are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) Types 6, 11, 16, and 18. HPV Types 16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancer cases and HPV Types 6 and 11 cause 90% of genital wart cases. Full immunization requires three injections over six months.
Health Services has a limited supply of Gardasil available through the Massachusetts Vaccines for Children Program. This will be supplied free to females 18 years of age or younger. Please call Health Services at 617-333-2182 to see if you qualify and to make an appointment. Parent consent will be required for minors (students under the age of 18).
Prescriptions can be written for those who do not qualify for the free program. You should check with your health insurer first to make sure they will cover it. You must fill the prescription, keep the medicine refrigerated, and bring it to Health Services to be administered. Appointments are necessary to obtain the prescription and for administration by calling 617-333-2182.
Annual Flu Shots Available
Flu shots will be available October 15th, 2008 in the President's Dining Room from 10 AM- 3 PM for $30. Please bring health insurance information since this is covered by most insurers but not all. No appointmant necessary.
Need to locate a flu clinic? Call Mass DPH at 1-866-627-7968 or click here
Meningitis Vaccine Available
We have received this vaccine from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to administer to all college freshmen living in dormitories and anyone 18 years of age or younger. Free vaccination is available by appointment X2182.
Immunization or Health Record Request
Health Services keeps Health Records for 10 years after graduation or withdrawal. You may request any part of this record including a copy of your immunizations by completing a Medical Record Request/Release Authorization (PDF) and faxing or mailing it to the address on the top of the form.