UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Flu season is quickly approaching, and in preparation Penn State University Health Services (UHS) will offer student flu vaccine clinics at University Park. The clinics, to be held in Alumni Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center, are open to all students. The clinics are by appointment only and can be scheduled through myUHS. The cost of this year’s vaccine is $25, billable to insurance or the student’s Bursar account.
Although most insurances cover the cost, to make sure students have access to the vaccine, the Student Fee Board has allocated funds to cover the cost of the flu vaccine for the first 4,536 students.
Due to the pandemic, getting your flu vaccine is more important than ever to not only reduce your risk from flu, but to help conserve potentially scarce health care resources. Many people at higher risk from flu also seem to be at higher risk from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you are at higher risk, it is especially important to get a flu vaccine this year.
UHS student flu vaccine clinics will be held on the following dates from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
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Monday, Sept. 21
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Thursday, Sept. 24
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Thursday, Oct. 1
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Thursday, Oct. 8
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Monday, Oct. 12
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Tuesday, Oct. 13
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Thursday, Oct. 15
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Wednesday, Oct. 21
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Thursday, Oct. 22
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Monday, Oct. 26
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Thursday, Oct. 29
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Tuesday, Nov. 10
Students at Commonwealth Campus locations are encouraged to contact their on-campus health service, if applicable, or a local provider to inquire about clinics in their area.
“The CDC believes that influenza viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will have concurrent spread during this fall and winter season,” said Valerie Fulton, infectious disease manager in University Health Services. “The symptoms of influenza viruses have a resemblance to symptoms of COVID-19, so the flu vaccine will be more important than ever this year. Influenza symptoms can keep you bedridden for a week or more. An annual flu vaccine is the best way to help protect you against getting an influenza infection.”
An annual flu vaccine is the first and most important step in preventing flu viruses, according to the CDC. The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone age 6 months and older.
Students planning to attend a flu vaccine clinic are asked to fulfill a few pre-visit requirements. Students will need to complete the Consent to Treat, Notice of Privacy Practices, and the Student Account Billing and Financial Aid Statement in myUHS. Additionally, students will be expected to upload their health insurance information. 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 if the Student Fee Board allocation does not cover their vaccine. Payment and insurance information will not be collected at the clinics.
On the day of the appointment, students must bring their Penn State ID.
For more information, visit studentaffairs.psu.edu/flu-clinics.