Student Health COVID-19 Updates

Health Services will provide current University at Buffalo students (and their families) with the latest information and service announcements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On this page:

Currently unable to test for COVID-19

6/18/2020: Health Services is unable to test for COVID-19. If you feel you need to be tested, please call 716-829-3316 to speak to Health Services staff for advice.

How You Can Help

You can help yourself and your campus community by doing the following:

  • If you are ill, stay home and practice self-care measures
    • Call your primary doctor or Health Services (716-829-3316) ASAP if you experience:
      • Shortness of breath    
      • Cough with temperature above 100.3
  • Limit exposure/transmission risk by:
    • Not coming to Health Services without an appointment
    • Attending scheduled appointments alone
    • Postponing any nonessential office visits
    • E-mailing, mailing or faxing forms to our office 
      • Fax is the best option for submitting forms    
      • Campus mail is extremely limited at this time. Expect significant delays if you are mailing forms to our office.

How We Are Helping

We are doing our part to reduce exposure and ensure availability to those that will need us most by:

  • Moving to appointments only - no walk in clinic - call for an appointment 716-829-3316
  • Limiting the number of in-person appointments in our office while increasing telehealth visits
  • Phone support/secure messaging support 
Doctors Notes/Excuses

> We cannot provide travel clearance documents relating to COVID-19.

> We can not/do not provide documentation regarding your health infection status.

> We do not issues class excuses.

If You Test Positive for COVID-19

Per the Commissioner of the Erie County Department of Health, if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and are awaiting test results or if you test positive for COVID-19, regardless of your symptoms, you need to be in isolation until certain criteria are met. See the links below for the criteria and information on how to protect yourself and the community.

Erie County Commissioner's Order for Isolation
Frequently Asked Questions About the Commissioner's Order for Isolation

Campus Updates

Latest on coronavirus
See All Updates
Visit UB COVID-19 website for FAQs, news and more

Authoritative Sources

COVID-19 Hotline

The Erie County Department of Health has created a hotline for COVID-19 related calls: 716-858-2929

Support Resources

Managing COVID-19 Anxiety

Counseling Services is here to help with the following tips to help you manage your anxiety.

Tips for Managing COVID-19 Anxiety
Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation

Quick Links

Mindfulness Library is FREE for everyone!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TAO has decided to make our Mindfulness Library free for everyone. Please feel free to share with family, friends, or anyone else who might benefit from enhancing their mindfulness practice.

All exercises are available in both English and French: https://www.taoconnect.org/mindfulness-exercise/

Free NYS Mental Health Crisis Line Available

There is now a free mental health crisis line for residents of New York State. A person can schedule a FREE appointment with a mental health professional by calling 1-844-863-9314.

Gathering Immunization Records - Tips

We are aware that incoming students may have difficulty obtaining immunization records with the current COVID-19 pandemic. Rest assured that you still have plenty of time to obtain and submit your records to us as Fall 2020 classes do not begin until August 31, 2020.

To make things as easy as possible for our students, we will accept records via mail, fax, or email. Here are some ways you may be able to obtain a copy of your records:

  • Your current or previous healthcare providers - Don't forget vaccines received at local public health departments. Many medical practices have an online portal you can use to print a copy of your immunizations. Call your doctor's office to find out how to best access your immunization records. 
  • Schools/Colleges/Previous employers/Military - You can contact your high school or health services at your previous college to see if they have a copy of your records. Many colleges have an online portal you can use to access a digital copy of your records. 
  • State immunization registries - For NY state residents, you can call (518) 473-2839 or email NYSIIS at nysiis@health.ny.gov to request a copy of your immunization history. For students not from NY state, call the CDC Information Contact Center at 800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).
Summer 2020: No MMR proof required

Due to Summer 2020 sessions being exclusively online, proof of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) immunity is not required for Summer 2020. You should not have an IMM hold on your account. If you have an IMM hold for Summer 2020, please contact our office at (716) 829-3316. 

The meningitis response is still required. You can do this directly by logging into HUB. If you need assistance with this process, please call our office at (716) 829-3316.

Student Health Pharmacy Information

The pharmacy will no longer be open on Monday evenings. Hours will be Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Summer hours (5/29/20-8/18/20) will be Tuesdays and Fridays 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Anyone on the Student Health Insurance Plans (UnitedHealthcare, BCBS of WNY) can request a 3 month supply if they currently are enrolled and have refills on prescriptions.

For students that need prescriptions filled, prescriptions can be mailed. There is no charge for this service at this time.

Students with additional questions can call 716-829-2368 or email.

Health Insurance Information

COVID-19 FAQ for Students with UB Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan

If you have any questions regarding health insurance or need to make a payment, please email our office. A payment link will be sent in the reply email for any payments. 

The SUNY International Student Health Insurance Program with UHC offers comprehensive coverage for those students that need COVID-19 testing or contract the virus.