Allergy Shots
Columbia Health provides allergy shots for patients with a current written order from a New York State-licensed allergist. Columbia Health is unable to administer allergy shots prescribed by an out-of-state provider. If you’re interested in receiving allergy shots through Columbia Health, begin by contacting Medical Services at 212-854-7426.
Allergy Shots at Columbia Health
Medical Services administers allergy immunotherapy injections, a.k.a. “allergy shots” for patients with a current written order (within the past 12 months) from a New York State-licensed prescribing allergist. Allergy testing is not available at Medical Services. We do not have an allergist on staff.
Allergy shots can be used to control symptoms triggered by insect stings, such as bees, wasps, and hornets, and airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, and cockroaches.
Who is eligible?
All Columbia students on the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses who have paid the full-time Columbia Health and Related Services Fee, and those who are dependents on the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan are eligible to receive allergy shots.
How do I get allergy shots?
The first step to receiving allergy shots is to meet with a New York State-licensed allergist* and have them:
- Administer all your initial injections and
- Complete and submit the Columbia Health Allergen Immunotherapy Administration Form.
Then, submit the Allergen Immunotherapy Administration Form by either:
- Bringing the completed form to your initial allergy care visit to Medical Services.
- Uploading the completed form to the “Downloadable Forms” section of the Patient Portal or
- Having your provider fax the completed form to 212-851-2477.
After you have submitted your form and have been seen by a Columbia Medical Provider you can make an appointment with a nurse for allergy shots with Medical Services by calling 212-854-7426. Please note, the first visit with our nurses can take up to an hour including the mandatory 30 minutes of monitoring
*Don’t have a New York State-licensed allergist?
If you are on the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan, you can schedule an appointment with your primary care provider at Medical Services to establish care and then receive the required referral to meet with an allergist.
If you are on another insurance plan, you can find an in-network allergist licensed in New York State by using your insurer’s mobile app, online directory, or contacting your insurer directly.
How much will it cost?
There are no additional costs to receiving allergy shots at Medical Services.
What else do I need to know?
During your initial allergy care visit with Medical Services, your medical provider will review your medical history, treatment plan, and discuss your submitted Allergen Immunotherapy Administration Form. Then, they will have you schedule a nursing appointment to begin your allergen injection visits.
During your ongoing allergen injection visits, please bring your serum supply to your first visit, and your serum supply with updated doses to your subsequent visits. Your serum vials should be labeled clearly with your legal name, date of birth, vial concentration, and expiration date. Medical Services does not accept serum mailed directly to our facilities.
For your safety, you must wait 30 minutes at Medical Services after the injection. The nurse will not proceed with the allergen injection if you cannot stay for the full 30 minutes.
Students with significant systemic reactions must be evaluated by their allergist before further injections.
Additional Questions
If you have questions, please call 212-854-7426 and ask to speak with a nurse.