Campus flu-shot clinics start Sept. 30

University Health Services (UHS) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison will once again offer free seasonal influenza immunizations (flu shots) for all registered students, faculty and staff.

In a change from last year, student flu-shot clinics will be held at separate locations and dates from UW–Madison employee clinics.

The first flu-shot clinic of the year will be for students only and will be held from noon-5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30, at the SERF. Students can drop in without an appointment and get their seasonal flu shot out of the way.

Free walk-in flu shots at UHS will begin Monday, Oct. 3, and will be available through Friday, Nov. 4. Additionally, walk-in flu-shot clinics will be held at four other locations on campus through Nov. 3 (for students only).

Employee flu-shot clinics begin Oct. 3 and will be held at more than a dozen locations on and off campus through Nov. 10.

The seasonal flu shot contains vaccine against three strains of influenza that may circulate in the U.S. this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu shot every year.

The virus can cause mild to severe illness, leading to time away from school, work and other activities. Typical symptoms include fever, sore throat and/or dry cough, runny nose, headaches, body aches and extreme fatigue.

“We encourage all students, faculty and staff to reduce their chances of getting flu and get vaccinated,” says Sarah Van Orman, executive director of UHS. “And with an array of walk-in clinics on and off campus, we’re hoping that everyone who wants a flu shot will be able to find a place and time that works in their schedule.”

As an alternative to the injectable vaccine, FluMist will also be available for students, faculty and staff for a fee.

Student flu shots are free for students and given by UHS because they’re covered by the Student Health Fee.

As in previous years, UW–Madison employees will receive their flu shots from Home Health United nursing staff as part of the university’s occupational health and safety programming. Employees are asked to bring their health insurance card to the flu shot clinic. If they have Dean Care, Group Health Cooperative, Physicians Plus or Unity, payment will be processed directly to that health insurance provider. Otherwise, there will be a fee of $30 for the shot (payable by cash, check, Visa or MasterCard). A receipt will be provided to submit to the health insurance provider for possible reimbursement.

Walk-in clinics for UW–Madison students: Students should remember to bring their student ID and wear short sleeves or sleeves that easily push all the way up on the shoulder. Clinics will be held at the following:

• Friday, Sept. 30, noon-5 p.m., SERF, 715 W. Dayton St.
• Oct. 3-Nov. 4, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., University Health Services, sixth-floor Green Clinic, 333 East Campus Mall
• Tuesday, Oct. 4, 4-7 p.m., Holt Commons, Kronshage Hall, 1650 Kronshage Drive
• Tuesday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Varsity Hall No. 1, Union South, 1308 W. Dayton St.
• Thursday, Oct. 20, 4-7 p.m., Chadbourne Hall, 420 N. Park St.
• Thursday, Oct. 27, noon-5 p.m., Room 1202 Health Sciences Learning Center, 750 Highland Ave.
• Thursday, Nov. 3, 4-7 p.m., Holt Commons, Kronshage Hall

Walk-in clinics for UW–Madison employees will be held at the following:

• Monday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Varsity Hall, Union South
• Monday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m, SERF
• Friday, Oct. 14, noon-4 p.m., State Hygiene Lab, 2601 Agriculture Drive
• Friday, Oct. 14, 3-5 p.m., Physical Science Lab, 2735 Schneider Drive, Stoughton
• Monday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Medical Science Center, 1300 University Ave.
• Friday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Room 132, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, 610 Walnut St.
• Monday, Oct. 24, 4-8 p.m., 611 Eagle Heights
• Friday, Oct. 28, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Room 336, Ingraham Hall, 1155 Observatory Drive
• Friday, Oct. 28, 4-7 p.m., Holt Commons, Kronshage Hall
• Tuesday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Health Sciences Learning Center, 750 Highland Ave.
• Friday, Nov. 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Room 1106/1108, Welcome Center, 21 N. Park St.
• Tuesday, Nov. 8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tripp Commons, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
• Wednesday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Audit. Breakout Space, Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Ave.
• Thursday, Nov. 10, noon-4 p.m, WISPIC, 6001 Research Park Blvd.

Visit http://www.uhs.wisc.edu for more information, including a Google map of all the flu shot clinic locations and flu FAQs.

For more information about seasonal influenza from the CDC, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm.