Student using wellness vending machine to get cold/flu medication

How Wellness Vending Machines Support Students During Flu & Respiratory Season

Flu season — typically October through May in the U.S. Cleveland Clinic+1 — places significant stress on college health centers. Students show up with fevers, congestion, sore throats, and respiratory symptoms. Meanwhile, clinic wait times grow, and many students delay care. Wellness vending machines bridge this gap by providing rapid self-tests and symptom relief tools right where students live and study.

Why Flu Season Is Critical on Campuses

  • High density living: Dorms, shared bathrooms, and close-contact classes facilitate spread.

  • Limited clinic hours: Many symptoms begin outside regular operating times.

  • Delays in care: Waiting for test kits or medications pushes students to isolate or skip class.

Products to Stock for Flu & Respiratory Support

  • Rapid antigen tests for influenza and COVID

  • OTC medications: fever reducers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen), cough suppressants, decongestants, lozenges

  • Thermometers or digital temperature strips

  • Hydration aids such as electrolyte packets

  • Face masks / tissue packs

  • Cold/flu combo medications (subject to regulatory guidelines)

According to Healthline, OTC meds help relieve symptoms but do not shorten the illness — so rapid tests help inform when to seek antiviral treatment. Healthline

How Vending Helps During Peak Season

  • 24/7 access: Students don’t wait until health center opens.

  • Reduced clinic strain: Many mild cases resolve with self-care — fewer in-clinic visits.

  • Early diagnosis: Students can test early and decide whether to isolate or seek care.

  • Cost control: Fewer emergency or urgent care visits saves costs long-term.

Launching Your Flu-Ready Program

  1. Pre-season setup (August–September): Plan locations, order tests/meds, and reserve your placement with My BIO TESTS.

  2. Awareness campaigns: Email students, partner with campus health to promote the machine.

  3. Mid-season monitoring: Watch for stockouts; monitor which products sell faster.

  4. Data & feedback: Gather usage data and student feedback to refine your plan for next year.

No Budget? No Problem.

You don’t need to wait on seasonal budgets to roll this out. Through the My BIO TESTS Placement Program, a flu-ready vending station can be deployed at no cost to your campus — stocked, maintained, and managed by us. That way, when flu season hits, your students already have access.

Don’t wait until the flu wave arrives. Contact My BIO TESTS now to deploy a no-cost wellness vending machine stocked for respiratory season — and let students take control of their health.

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