Time to get your annual flu shot — clinics start next week

Each year, influenza strikes many faculty, staff and students, causing them to miss up to five days of work and class. To limit the effects of the flu on the campus community, University Health Services (UHS) is coordinating employee flu shot clinics around campus beginning Sept. 29.

UW-Madison supports the CDC recommendation that individuals older than six months receive an annual flu shot. Last year, more than 4,500 UW–Madison faculty and staff were vaccinated against the flu, and this year UHS hopes to vaccinate more than 5,000 employees. The vaccine protects against three strains of influenza: seasonal flu B as well as H1N1 and H3N2.

“The flu shot not only reduces an individual’s risk of getting the flu; it helps to keep campus healthier as a whole, because the virus spreads at a slower rate in highly immunized populations,” says Sarah Van Orman, UW–Madison’s chief health officer.

“Receiving an annual flu shot promotes academic and workplace success at UW–Madison, as it helps prevent major interruptions to coursework and missing significant amounts of work.”

Faculty and staff who have chronic health conditions — such as asthma, diabetes or immune disorders — are strongly encouraged to get an annual flu shot.

The flu shot is free for employees with Dean Care, Physicians Plus, Group Health Cooperative, or Unity insurance if you present your insurance card when you get the shot. Without an insurance card, the cost is $31 for the flu shot and $33 for the FluMist nasal spray.

If you develop flu-like symptoms (fever with a cough and/or sore throat), it is a campus expectation that faculty, staff and students stay home from work and class, and limit contact with others until completely free of a fever for at least 24 hours. The most severe symptoms usually improve after two to five days, but may last up to one week. Most people are able to return to work and class after five to seven days.

East Campus Clinics

SERF, 715 W. Dayton St. – Sept. 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Room 261, Gym 4)

Ingraham Hall, 1155 Observatory Dr. – Oct. 5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Room 336, 3rd floor)

Red Gym, 716 Langdon St. – Oct. 26, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (On Wisconsin room)

Welcome Center, 21 N. Park St. – Nov. 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Room 1106/1108)

West Campus Clinics

Eagle Heights, 611 Eagle Heights – Sept. 29, 3-8 p.m. (Room 139)

Veterinary Medicine, 2015 Linden Dr. – Sept. 30, 11 p.m.-1 a.m. (2nd floor hallway – Hmong, Spanish, Tibetan and Chinese interpretation available)

Union South, 1308 W. Dayton St. – Oct. 6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Varsity Hall)

WARF, 610 Walnut St. – Oct. 9, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Room 132)

Medical Sciences Center, 1300 Highland Ave. – Oct. 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Room 2010A)

Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Ave. – Oct. 28, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (1st floor auditorium breakout space)

Health Sciences Learning Center, 750 Highland Ave. – Oct. 30, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (Room 1345)

Off-campus Clinics

WISPIC, 6001 Research Park Dr. – Oct. 8, noon-4 p.m. (The Commons)

State Hygiene Lab, 2601 Agriculture Dr. – Oct. 27, 9 a.m.-noon (Fishbowl, 2nd floor)

Physical Sciences Lab, 3725 Schneider Dr., Stoughton – Oct. 29, 3-5 p.m. (large conference room)

Influenza Research Institute, 575 Science Dr. – November 6, 9-11 a.m. (Conference room)(for IRI staff only)