SDSU COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Programs

Student Health Services offers a range of medical services to support SDSU students, including services for COVID-19. In addition to offering COVID-19 testing to students, the university is now offering COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccines are only given to those who are eligible based on the County of San Diego and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

The U.S. The Federal Drug Administration has granted Emergency Use Authorization for COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. Distribution of the vaccine at San Diego State University is based on County of San Diego and CDC and state guidelines. 

Those seeking a COVID-19 vaccines and boosters should contact their medical provider. SDSU’s Student Health Services is also offering each of the three available vaccines — Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson — to SDSU students.

Booster for Students, Employees Required

The California State University system announced on Dec. 22, 2021 that all students, faculty and staff in the system will be required to have a COVID-19 booster on file to access campus facilities and programs in spring 2022.

The university's new requirement will take effect immediately upon implementation of the policy; however, represented employees will not be subject to the booster requirement until the CSU concludes its meet-and-confer process with its labor unions. 

At SDSU, and effective Jan. 18, 2022, students, faculty and staff eligible for the COVID-19 booster will be required to have the COVID-19 booster on file with the university. Talk to your health care provider or locate booster availability online.

Incentives Available

For students: Each and every student who gets their booster and uploads their record to HealtheConnect before Jan. 3 at 11:59 p.m. will receive a $10 Starbucks card. Those who upload proof of a booster to HealtheConnect prior to Jan. 17 will also be eligible to win additional incentives, to include iPads, Bookstore gift cards, SDSU Dining gift cards, and other incentives (one per winner).

For employees: Every employee who gets a booster and uploads their record to HealtheConnect before Jan. 3 at 11:59 p.m. will be entered to win one of five $100 gift cards each day between today and Jan. 3. Employees who upload proof of a booster to HealtheConnect prior to Jan. 17 (including those who upload before Jan. 3) will be eligible to win additional incentives, to include: special university parking permits, Open Air Theatre concerts tickets, men’s or women’s basketball tickets and a private tour of the SDSU Mission Valley site.

About Eligibility 

Those who have received two shots of either the Moderna or Pfizer series less than 6 months prior to Jan. 18, or have received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine less than 2 months prior to Jan. 18, are NOT yet eligible for a booster, and will not be entered into the testing protocol until their date of becoming eligible for a booster. 

Those students currently on an approved religious or medical exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine are still highly encouraged to get vaccinated and, when able, a booster. If unable to do so, you will be required to continue to adhere to SDSU's current testing requirements and the facial covering policy for unvaccinated individuals in indoor and outdoor settings. 

All other students, faculty and staff are highly encouraged to get their booster prior to or during the spring semester.  

County-Operated Testing Site 

As of November 30, the County-operated testing site at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center has now closed.  

Information is available online about other county-run testing locations. 

Vending Machines with COVID-19 Test

San Diego State University students, faculty and staff (including auxiliary employees with RedIDs) are able to access self-administered COVID-19 test kits at one of numerous vending machines across campus. Submitted COVID-19 tests will not be analyzed if the individual is not a student or employee in SDSU’s database. 

COVID-19 self testing vending machine locations for SDSU, SDSU Imperial Valley and SDSU Brawley can be found using our interactive campus map. 

In addition to testing offered through Student Health Services and off-campus locations, those who are not vaccinated as well as those who are vaccinated may rely on the kiosks for testing.

Instructions for Access to Free COVID-19 Tests (first-time users)

1. Go to the Dr. Wellness website to open the SDSU COVID-19 Testing web page.
2. Enter your Email and Mobile Number to receive a free credit to be used through the Monyx Wallet App.
   1. Note: New credits can be requested Monday through Sunday — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. — including holidays and may take up to 24 hours to receive.
   2. COVID-19 tests can also be purchased for $1.
3. Download the Monyx Wallet app (available via Apple App Store and Google Play) or on the Monyx website.
4. Register in the Monyx Wallet App with your phone number. (No payment method needs to be included).
5. Wait for your credit (may take up to 24 hours). 
6. Go to the vending machine you'd like to get a test from. Click on “Search Machines” in the Monyx Wallet App and enter the seven digit Machine ID Code from the front of the vending machine.
7. Be sure “NAYAX” is selected as payment and press “Pay” on the Monyx Wallet App.
8. Select the Vending Number on the vending machine pad and retrieve your test!

If you need any assistance with a vending machine, contact customer service by calling 858-252-1551. 

You can also seek free testing through Student Health Services or at San Diego county-run testing locations.

Instructions for Administering and Submitting COVID-19 Tests for Analysis

1. TAKE THE TEST
   • Sanitize your hands open the swab packaging.
   • Insert the swab into your nose and rotate the swab around your nostril three times and then hold for 15 seconds against the inside of your nostril.
   • Repeat on the other nostril with the same swab.
   • Uncap the tube and place the swab into the vial. Be sure to insert with the swab facing down into the tube. 
   • Recap the tube, ensuring that the lid is fully tightened.
   • Note: The test must be returned within a 24 hour period.
2. LOG ON TO HealtheConnect
   • Use your SDSU ID to log into your account and navigate to the “COVID Self-Test” tab at the top of the page. 

      3. SCAN YOUR TEST

• • Scan the barcode on your test tube using your phone. 
  • Once you see the barcode text in the field on HealtheConnect, ensure it matches your barcode, and then hit the “Submit” button.
  • You will then see that your test has been added with the order status of “Lab Request Made.”

     4. DEPOSIT THE TEST & RECYCLE YOUR PACKAGE

• • Deposit your test within 24 hours of collection. 

     5. CHECK YOUR RESULTS

• • Monitor your HealtheConnect for messages about your lab results in one to three days.

     6. SANITIZE YOUR HANDS

• • Wash your hands, or use hand sanitizer after depositing your test. 

Student COVID-19 Testing

Student Health Services offers a range of medical services to support SDSU students, including testing services for COVID-19.

Location and Hours

Enrolled students can access COVID testing at Student Health Services at the Calpulli Center Information Booth. Testing is available Monday through Friday, during business hours with an appointment.  For testing on evenings and weekend, the County of San Diego offers a number of free no appointment necessary testing sites.

Scheduling Appointments

Testing at Student Health Services is available by appointment only. Online scheduling is available through HealtheConnect, our secure online health portal.  Students can also schedule appointments by calling Student Health Services at 619-594-4325. 

Cost

There is no cost for testing.

Testing Specifics

Students will be asked to self-collect their PCR test specimen with a nasal swab. This will be observed by an SHS team member in order to ensure proper collection. The testing is painless and students can complete the process in just a few minutes.

Results

Results are typically available in two to three days and will be sent via HealtheConnect. If students test positive, they will also receive a follow-up phone call.

Employee COVID-19 Testing

Faculty and staff are encouraged to get COVID-19 tested and can do so at no cost at the county test sites in San Diego and Imperial Valley.

COVID-19 Medical Care

For students who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms or who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are having ongoing medical issues, Student Health Services can provide support and care. Please call us at 619-594-4325 for an appointment or telephonic consultation.

Employees should seek care from their medical provider.

CSU Vaccination Requirement

On July 27, 2021, the California State University (CSU) system announced that the COVID-19 vaccine will be required for students, faculty, and staff, including auxiliary employees in order to access campus this fall. As outlined by the CSU, this requirement is not contingent on the full U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, and therefore removes some of the earlier uncertainty regarding the policy’s effective date. This is an update to the CSU’s April 22 announcement. Additional information and guidance was shared in an all-campus message and can be found here.

COVID-19 Vaccination Program 

Faculty, staff and students have choices when getting vaccinated, and are encouraged to reach out to the following to secure an appointment:

• Sign up for an appointment with one of the no-appointment County of San Diego vaccination sites, where vaccines are available each day without an appointment, or the Imperial County vaccination sites.
• Students may schedule an appointment at Student Health Services via HealtheConnect
• Contact your primary care physician or other healthcare provider.
• Vaccines are also available by appointment at clinics, pharmacies and certain stores, such as Ralphs, Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions, CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid.
• Use VaccineFinder to locate a COVID vaccine near you.

Información en Español

About the Current Vaccines, Why Get Vaccinated 

Safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19 can help reduce the chances of contracting the disease. Current vaccines can help reduce the number of people infected and reduce the number of people who must seek medical attention. The vaccines may also reduce the long-term effects of COVID-19.

This is what we know: 

• Currently, the Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna mRNA and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are the only three COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States. These vaccines, which are being administered nationally and in other parts of the world, are proven to be 95 percent effective.
• The vaccines now on the market and available nationwide are safe and have been proven effective through scientific research and clinical trials
• Supporting the County of San Diego’s efforts in vaccinating faculty, staff and students, SDSU is following county guidance on vaccine phases, which defines the order in which the population can receive vaccines.
• Importantly, medical professionals and health officials, including those within the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies, determine vaccination phases. 

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

Slow the Spread of COVID-19 

Not everyone will be able to access vaccines immediately. Distributing the vaccine across the nation and throughout the state of California will take time and patience. It remains important to continue to maintain the everyday practices that help protect yourself, your loved ones and the university and broader communities. 

Continue to do the following: 

• Wear a facial covering when required to protect yourself and others. 
• Wash your hands frequently. 
• Monitor your symptoms and get COVID-19 tested