COVID-19 & Flu
The health and safety of the Boston University community is always at the forefront of the work that we do in the BU Occupational Health Center. Please review the information below and on the linked pages to learn more about COVID-19 and Seasonal Flu protocols.
COVID-19
PCR and Rapid Antigen Testing
- Our University COVID-19 Clinical Testing Laboratory is permanently closed as of May 22, 2023.
- Moving forward from this date, employees should seek out PCR testing through urgent care facilities or your personal healthcare provider offices.
- While PCR testing remains the gold standard for COVID-19 testing, at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests have greatly increased access to testing for many individuals. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is now recommending the following repeat testing instructions below to reduce your risk of false negative results:
- If you receive a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test result, the test did not detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus at the time of that test.
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms, test again 48 hours after the first negative test, for a total of at least two tests.
- If you do not have COVID-19 symptoms, but you have been exposed to COVID-19, test again 48 hours after the first negative test.
Protocol for Positive SARS-CoV-2 Test Results
- To review the COVID-19 guidelines, please click the link here.
- If you are an employee:
- You must also inform your supervisor or manager as soon as possible that you are unable to come into work as they will no longer receive the work restriction notice.
- You do not need to inform Occupational Health about a positive test result.
- If you are a manager:
- If an employee reporting to you tests positive for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), they should remain home while sick and follow the COVID-19 guidelines and inform you as soon as possible that they are unable to come into work. You will not receive a work restriction email for your employee.
- Employees do not need to inform Occupational Health about their positive test results.
Masking
- Boston University will align with MDPH by no longer requiring masking in medical settings on campus however, masking is still encouraged.
- We continue to recommend masking inside your home if you or others in the home are not feeling well or if you have underlying medical conditions that place you at a higher risk for severe COVID-19. We continue to encourage the use of high-quality masks (such as N95s, KN95s, KF94s, and FFP3/2s) that cover the nose, mouth, and chin and fit securely to reduce the risk of viral transmission.
COVID-19 Medical Questions
Please direct all COVID-19 related medical questions and concerns to the Occupational Health Center at 617-353-6630 on weekdays from 8:30am-4:30pm.
Seasonal Influenza (Flu)
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) continues to strongly recommend that everyone ages six months and older receive their seasonal flu vaccine each year. For more information on the flu shot, please visit MDPH or CDC.
Instructions to schedule an Influenza appointment:
To schedule an appointment for either the Charles River Campus (930 Comm Ave.) or the Medical Campus (72 East Concord St.), please call us directly at 617-353-6630 to schedule an appointment. No walk-ins will be accepted.
Please see below for off campus sites to get your flu shot:
Off-campus near the Charles River Campus (CRC):
- CVS 900 Commonwealth Ave.
- Osco Pharmacy in Star Market 1065 Commonwealth Ave.
- CVS 1249 Boylston St.
- CVS 1341 Boylston St.
- CVS 294 Harvard St.
- CVS 1322 Beacon St.
Off-campus near the Medical Campus (BUMC):
- Walgreens 1603 Washington St.
- CVS 874 Harrison Ave.
- CVS 725 Albany St.
- CVS 341 Harrison Ave.
- CVS 780 Albany St.
- Walgreens 841 Boylston St.