Free flu shots offered to students, faculty and staff

Tuesday, October 14, 2008, By News Staff

SU News Services
(315) 443-3784

In preparation for the 2008-09 flu season, Syracuse University Health Services will provide free flu vaccine clinics for students, faculty and staff beginning today, October 14. Health Services and its partners are offering seasonal influenza vaccination (the “flu shot”), free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment is needed. A valid SU student or employee I.D. must be shown in order to receive a shot, and there are separate sessions scheduled for students and employees.

The clinics are scheduled as follows:

  • For students only: Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Room 228B of the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center.
  • For faculty and staff only: Oct. 23 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., during “Harvest for Health,” in the Schine Student Center’s Goldstein Auditorium.
  • For students, faculty, and staff: Oct. 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., in Room 228B of the Schine Student Center.

For students, faculty, staff, or eligible retirees who cannot attend one of the scheduled clinics, Health Services will also administer flu shots at 111 Waverly Ave. during two non-appointment walk-in sessions, on Oct. 28 and Oct. 29 from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. each day. For more information on the clinics and walk-in sessions, call 443-9019.

Based on past demand, Health Services has secured 1,500 doses of vaccine and can get more if necessary. It is anticipated that this supply will be sufficient to meet the University community’s needs throughout the flu season. The Worklife Wellness Committee, hosted by the Office of Human Resources, is co-sponsoring the inoculation of faculty, staff, and retirees who are currently participating in SU’s medical benefit plans.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu strains that cause the most illness during the flu season. The vaccine can protect recipients from getting sick, or make illness milder if it does occur.

There are other every-day actions that can limit the spread of flu:

Flu-like symptoms include fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches.