Free flu shots to be offered to students, faculty, staff

Thursday, October 18, 2007, By News Staff

Free flu shots to be offered to students, faculty, staffOctober 18, 2007Matthew R. Snydermrsnyder@syr.edu

In preparation for the 2007-08 flu season, Syracuse University Health Services is piloting an expansion of its popular seasonal influenza vaccination program. Starting Oct. 22, Health Services’ supply of the vaccine will be offered free of charge to students, faculty and staff. In previous years, the University charged a fee for this service.

Health Services has secured 1,500 doses of flu vaccine for this season; previously, the record high number of shots administered by Health Services in a single year was fewer than 1,400. The Worklife Wellness Committee, coordinated by the Office of Human Resources, is co-sponsoring the inoculation of faculty and staff.

Shots will be administered through a series of first-come, first-served clinics, for which no appointment is necessary. A valid SU student or employee I.D. must be shown to receive a flu shot. A limited number of doses will be allocated for each clinic to ensure that sufficient vaccine is available for all scheduled clinics. If sufficient vaccine remains, more clinics may be scheduled and announced.

The schedule is as follows:

  • Students only: Monday, Oct. 22, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center

  • Students only: Tuesday, Oct. 23, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Schine Student Center

  • Faculty/staff only: Thursday, Oct. 25, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Schine Student Center

  • Students, faculty and staff: Monday, Oct. 29, 5-7 p.m., Goldstein Student Center (South Campus).

The event on South Campus is also co-sponsored by the Healthy Monday Campaign, which invites everyone to make a commitment to health and take action on Mondays.

While supplies last, students who cannot participate in a scheduled clinic can also make an appointment to receive a flu shot at the Health Services office at 111 Waverly Ave. by calling 443-9005. Flu vaccine will not be available to faculty or staff at the Health Services office; it will only be provided at the faculty/staff sessions outlined above. As flu season progresses, Health Services will provide the University community with a list of off-campus providers advertising availability of flu vaccine.

For more information about influenza vaccination, contact Health Services at 443-9005.