Monkeypox

The DeWeese Health Center Electronic Health Record portal is now open for Kent State students, faculty and staff to schedule appointments for the Kent City Health Department Jynneos Vaccine (Monkeypox) clinic.

This is a two-dose vaccine. Please schedule an appointment in both clinics. Appointments can be scheduled online by visiting the Health Center portal or by calling the appointment line at 330-672-2322. The deadline to schedule is Nov. 1.

Location:  DeWeese Health Center, Room #25 (enter through Door #2)

Time: 1 – 3 p.m.

Clinic Dates:

• First Dose: Clinic 1 – Nov. 9, 2022
• Second Dose: Clinic 2 – Dec. 7, 2022

Eligibility requirements to receive the Monkeypox vaccine reflect CDC guidelines.

To learn more about Monkeypox, attend Monkeypox and LGBTQ+ Sexuali-TEA on Oct. 27, hosted by the Kent State LGBTQ+ Center.

Dear Kent State University Students, Faculty and Staff,

As we prepare to welcome all Golden Flashes to our campuses, there is much excitement surrounding the start of the new academic year.

One way the university is preparing for a safe semester is by diligently monitoring COVID-19 and other viruses to ensure that our new semester is a healthy one for our community. Kent State will continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the advice of our local public health officials and the guidance of our experts at the College of Public Health to determine the best protocols for keeping our campuses and locations safe.

Kent State’s Safety Principles

As we manage these ongoing public health issues, everyone must do their part to ensure the safety of our entire Kent State community. We encourage you to read and follow Kent State’s Safety Principles for a healthy fall semester.

Masks

Kent State is following the recommendations of the CDC for "high," "medium" or "low" COVID-19 community levels and requires masks indoors at campuses and locations in counties where the level is "high."

Masks are not required at Kent State locations where community level designations are "medium" or "low" and are not required for those working alone in a private office or laboratory. However, a well-fitted mask is always required in all our healthcare settings and at the Child Development Center on the Kent Campus, regardless of county community level designation.

The mask requirement is reviewed and updated weekly when the CDC issues new county data. Should changes in the community level require an adjustment to mask guidance at a campus or location, we will inform our campus communities by email sent no later than 8 a.m. Fridays.

Masks are available to pick up for free at various locations on our campuses.

Vaccines

While COVID-19 vaccines are not required, they are strongly recommended for all. Vaccines and boosters remain available at the DeWeese Health Center on the Kent Campus and at numerous other locations throughout the state that are convenient to all our campuses and locations.

We also encourage all members of our community to get a flu shot when they become available. Flu shots will be available at DeWeese beginning in September.

Illness and Testing

Those who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 are urged to seek testing and treatment at DeWeese on the Kent Campus or by their personal physician or other healthcare provider. At-home COVID-19 test kits are available free on all campuses, can be ordered free from the federal government or can be purchased at most retail pharmacies.

Any student, faculty or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 should contact the COVID Response Team at 330-672-2525 to report their case so that contact tracing may take place.

Quarantine and Isolation

Kent State will follow CDC and Ohio Department of Health guidance for quarantining and isolation of residence hall students for COVID-19. Students placed in quarantine or isolation rooms on campus will be provided with meals.

Monkeypox

You may be aware the U.S. government recently declared monkeypox a public health emergency. University health officials are monitoring this outbreak, and we encourage all of you to familiarize yourself with monkeypox and how it spreads to protect yourself and your loved ones.

If you believe you have contracted monkeypox, call DeWeese on the Kent Campus or your local healthcare provider to schedule an appointment for evaluation. If the virus is suspected, a test will be performed to confirm. A limited amount of vaccine for monkeypox is available and is being distributed by the Ohio Department of Health through local health departments. If you believe you are a close contact of someone diagnosed with monkeypox, call your local health department or DeWeese at 330-672-2322 to discuss your exposure and eligibility for a monkeypox vaccine.

Anyone with health questions about COVID-19, monkeypox or any other illness should call DeWeese at 330-672-2322, or after hours, contact the Kent State Nurse Line at 330-672-2326.

Please do your part to keep all Golden Flashes safe and healthy for a successful academic year.

Sincerely,

Melissa Zullo, Ph.D., MPH
Director, Pandemic Institutionalization Effort
Interim Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs
Program Coordinator – Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Professor of Epidemiology, College of Public Health

Lisa Dannemiller, M.D.
Chief University Physician
Interim Director, DeWeese Health Center