UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Flu season is quickly approaching, and in preparation, University Health Services (UHS) will be offering student flu vaccine clinics on campus.
The clinics, to be held in Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center, are open to all students. No appointment is necessary to attend, and students are encouraged to drop in during any of the six clinic dates. The cost of this year’s vaccine is $25, billable to insurance or the student’s Bursar account.
According to UHS, more than 400 students were seen for the flu during the 2017-2018 flu season. Four different flu subtypes were identified on campus with some students contracting multiple flu strains. Among all recorded cases, 76 percent of students did not receive a flu shot.
“Last year’s flu season was uncharacteristically severe,” said Shelley Haffner, infectious disease manager, University Health Services. “By offering convenient, on-campus vaccination opportunities we hope that more students will take a proactive approach in managing their health and protecting themselves this season.”
An annual flu vaccine is the first and most important step in preventing flu viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone age six months and older.
Close living environments make college students particularly susceptible to spreading flu viruses. In addition to receiving an annual flu vaccine, students are also encouraged to cover their coughs, limit sharing food and drinks with others, and to practice good hand hygiene.
Students planning to attend a flu vaccine clinic are asked to bring their health insurance card along with their Penn State ID. UHS will bill in-network health insurance providers for the cost of the vaccine; students who are uninsured, have out-of-network coverage and/or do not supply insurance information will be billed to their Bursar account. Payment will not be collected at the clinics.
UHS flu vaccine clinics will be held on the following dates:
- Tuesday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 8, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 16 , 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
For more information, please visit studentaffairs.psu.edu/flu-vaccine-clinics.