COVID Information
It is important to note that Student Health Services is not an urgent care facility or an emergency room. To avoid delayed care, students experiencing an urgent medical need should consider going to one of the facilities on our website. If you are unsure where to go, a doctor or nurse at SHS can assist you with information. Please call 713-348-4966. For an emergency, call 713-348-6000.
For up-to-date Rice information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19), please check https://coronavirus.rice.edu/
Students may call Rice Student Health to discuss concerns with a triage nurse. They should NOT walk into the clinic.
VIRTUAL VISITS:
Rice Student Health - call for a virtual visit appointment - available Monday thru Friday with our Family Physicians for current students.
Aetna Student Health www.Teledoc.com/Aetna or 1-855-835-2362
Houston Methodist at https://www.houstonmethodist.org/virtual-urgent-care/
Memorial Hermann http://www.memorialhermann.org/virtual-care/instant-care-options/
ER VISITS:
Signature Care ER 1007 Westheimer Rd phone 281-479-3293
Methodist Houston ERs
COVID VACCINES:
There are many locations offering vaccines in Houston. You can use the site www.vaccines.gov to find a location for a FREE COVID VACCINE. Many pharmacies, including CVS, Walgreens, and HEB, have vaccines available.
2022-2023 Student Covid-19 Vaccination Expectations: Students enrolled on campus for the 2022-2023 academic year are expected (but not required) to have completed a full vaccination series for COVID-19 (currently defined as full course COVID-19 Vaccine (typically two shots of a WHO approved COVID-19 Vaccine or one J&J) and a COVID-19 booster. Attaching a copy of these vaccines to your health form is optional. You do NOT need to file an exemption for the Covid vaccine. (You DO need to file an exemption for MMR and meningitis vaccines if you have not received these).
Students will be asked to fill out a form thru the Dean's office regarding the Covid vaccine.
Covid-19 Testing - If you wish to have additional confirmatory testing beyond the rapid antigen tests, multiple off-campus locations offer PCR and NAAT testing. Please take your insurance card with you.
- Signature Care ER 3209 Montrose Blvd
- AFC Urgent Care 5568 Weslayan
- Next Level Urgent Care 4936 Beechnut
VACCINE REQUIREMENTS - All new students (undergraduate and graduate) are REQUIRED to have two MMR vaccines. Students under 22 are required to have the Meningitis ACYW vaccine. All students must complete a screening questionnaire for tuberculosis and complete testing if needed.
The Meningitis B and TdaP vaccines are highly recommended for undergraduate students. Please review this preventable disease at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mening-serogroup.html
Please review the Health Form and frequently asked questions under "new students."
A child or student who has not received the required immunizations for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs, may be excluded from school in times of emergency or epidemic.
Starting in the fall of 2018, students with Aetna Student Health may receive full reimbursement for STI testing once per school year at student health. Please schedule an appointment for testing and to review coverage.
Students need not be enrolled in the Rice-sponsored Aetna insurance plan to utilize Student Health Services. We do not file or bill insurance.
Students or parents with privacy concerns should review the information on the Registrar's webpage regarding FERPA. Health services do NOT require privacy forms unless a student is under 18 upon arrival. This form is available under the New Students Section.