The USC Engemann Student Health Center announced today that students, university faculty and staff will be able to make appointments for COVID-19 booster vaccines. USC Campus Health sent an email to students and staff on Monday afternoon detailing this update to their eligibility policy.
The COVID-19 vaccine was previously only available on campus for individuals who were over 65 years of age or immunocompromised. There was also uncertainty from individuals within the health center as to what the COVID-19 vaccine rollout would look like on campus this school year.
This move comes after the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health endorsed the California Department of Public Health’s immunization recommendations for the 2025-26 respiratory virus season. The department recommends that all children and adults receive the vaccine.
As stated in a press release from USC Campus Health, students who have the student health insurance plan (SHIP) can now receive the COVID-19 booster at the health center by booking an immunization appointment in the USC Student Health Portal. Students who opt out of SHIP and have their own insurance plan, as well as faculty and staff, are not required to make an appointment; they can walk into a USC Pharmacy for an immunization.
Samuel Wang, a junior studying intelligence and cyber operations, said that it’s convenient that USC offers the vaccine on campus.
“It’s a big barrier for a lot of people who can’t travel to a [different] place to get a booster,” Wang said.
Wang himself is considering getting the shot after his friend tested positive for COVID-19 last week. He said he wouldn’t be contemplating getting the shot if he had to go off campus to receive it because “it’s much more of a hassle.”
Katie Han, a junior studying business, said she “wasn’t seeking out the booster anyways,” but thinks that USC student health offering the shot “is convenient for people that want to get it because it’s very accessible.”
According to the USC Pharmacy website, the COVID-19 booster is covered for individuals with student health insurance and may be covered for students with alternate health insurance. At USC Pharmacies, the vaccine will cost $160 for those without insurance.