We provide safe, ongoing administration of allergen immunotherapy for students with existing treatment plans. Injections are given according to the orders and schedule established by your allergist, using the serum they prepare and send to us.
Is the Allergy Clinic Right for You?
This clinic continues allergy shots (immunotherapy) for students who are already being treated by an outside allergist. We do not diagnose allergies, run allergy testing, or start immunotherapy for the first time.
This clinic is a good fit if:
- You have a documented allergy diagnosis and treatment plan from a licensed allergist.
- You are currently receiving subcutaneous immunotherapy ("allergy shots") and want to continue without a gap while at Dartmouth.
- Your allergist is willing to keep supervising your treatment remotely and can provide us with your orders and serum.
This clinic is not able to help if:
- You've never seen an allergist and want to get tested or diagnosed for the first time, in that case you should see Primary Care about a referral.
- You have a food allergy, drug allergy, or another allergy not treated with allergy shots. Reach out to Primary Care about the concern.
- You want to start immunotherapy for the first time while at Dartmouth. We only continue treatment already prescribed elsewhere.
What to Expect
- Before Your Intake: We work with you and your allergist to get your paperwork and serum to the clinic. Your intake appointment depends on having these things here first.
- First Visit: Book an "Allergy Intake" appointment before any injections. We'll review your documents, verify serum, and walk you through our protocols. Intake must be complete before scheduling regular injections.
- Scheduling Injections: Students are responsible for booking their own appointments—use the Student Health Portal or call (603) 646-9401. All injections require a 30-minute observation period after administration. Plan accordingly.
- Safe Locations Only: We do not support injections at dorms, other clinics, or by unapproved staff. Injections must occur at Dick's House or your allergist's office.
- Sick, Traveling, or Off-Campus: Notify us via secure message through the Student Health Portal. We'll adjust your plan or hold injections as needed.
- Student Responsibilities:
- Arrange transport of your serum—hand-carrying is acceptable if done safely, or ask your allergist to ship directly to us.
- Plan ahead at the end of each term. Ensure new vials and updated paperwork arrive with enough lead time for review before your next scheduled injection.
- If you're on a build-up schedule or nearing expiration, this timing is especially critical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Your Treatment Set Up Before You Arrive
I'm starting at Dartmouth this fall and already get allergy shots. What do I need to do before I arrive?
Contact us as soon as you commit to Dartmouth, ideally by early summer, well before move-in. We are a continuation-of-care clinic: we administer immunotherapy that another allergist has already started, but we can't begin injections until your complete order set is on file and has been reviewed and accepted by our supervising physician. Starting early reduces the chance of a gap in treatment.
What paperwork does my allergist need to send?
At minimum: a summary of orders signed by your allergist, your dosage schedule, the frequency of injections during build-up and maintenance, a copy of your most recent injection record, and your allergist's instructions for adjusting late injections and local reactions. We'll reach out to your allergist's office directly with our full requirements once you contact us.
Who arranges for my serum (vials) to get to Dartmouth?
You are. You may hand-carry your serum yourself if done safely (insulated and temperature-appropriate), or ask your allergist's office to ship it directly to us. If they ship it, ask them to use FedEx, UPS, or DHL, not USPS, to avoid delays.
What if my allergist's office is slow to respond or doesn't send everything we need?
Let us know. We follow up directly with prescribing offices, and in limited cases our supervising physician can accept a partial order set temporarily while we wait for the rest. We can't begin injections without a complete order set eventually on file, so it helps to loop in your allergist's office early and follow up with them over the summer.
Do I still need to see my home allergist while I'm at Dartmouth?
Yes. We administer your treatment, but your allergist remains responsible for prescribing it. We can't start immunotherapy, change your allergen mix or doses, or take over as your treating allergist. Any changes to your plan have to come from them.
My paperwork is in. What happens next?
You'll book an Allergy Intake appointment before we schedule any injections. At that visit we verify your serum, review your history, and walk you through our protocols. Once intake is complete, you can start booking regular injection appointments through the Student Health Portal or by phone.
Breaks, Travel, and Missed Doses
What happens to my shots over intersession breaks, or summer?
Short time away can often be managed with mindful scheduling of shots and sometimes a small dosage adjustment when you return. Any planned break longer than 30 days counts as an interruption in treatment. Let us know before you leave. We'll coordinate with your allergist on whether your dose needs adjusting when you resume, since a long gap can change how your body tolerates your usual dose.
I'm studying abroad or doing an off-term. What do I do about my allergy shots?
Notify us as early as possible. We'll pause your file here and, depending on how long you'll be away, help coordinate a plan with your allergist, whether that means finding care near you while you're gone or adjusting your dose when you return.
I'm sick, or I'm traveling for a game or event, and can't make my scheduled shot. What do I do?
You have access to changing/canceling/rescheduling appointments within the Student Health Portal. Depending on the length of the gap, we may be able to adjust your schedule per your allergist's late-dose instructions, or we may need to check with your allergist directly.
What if I miss so many doses that I fall behind on my build-up schedule?
Missing multiple doses can require your allergist to adjust your schedule, sometimes restarting part of your build-up for safety. We follow your allergist's specific instructions for missed or late doses, and if a change in plan is needed, we'll hold injections and reach out to their office before resuming.
For Allergists
We follow AAAAI guidelines and require detailed, signed orders and clearly labeled vials before accepting any patient. Initial injections must occur in your office.
To avoid significant delays, do not ship serum via USPS.
Please use FedEx, UPS, or DHL and address to:
DSHS Allergy Clinic 5–7 Rope Ferry Road, HB 6143 Hanover, NH 03755
Allergy Clinic Fax: (603) 646-9526
