We have all heard it before, “get your flu shot!” But why is it important? There are tons of reasons actually! Here are a few of the best.

It Protects You 

Getting a flu shot every year helps you build a lifelong immunity to all sorts of flu viruses, and it allows you to be a stronger community member. Flu vaccines help prevent millions of hospital and doctor visits every year, which especially this year is so important. In the 2018-19 flu season, the flu shot helped prevent nearly six million infections and doctors visits as well as nearly 60,000 hospitalizations and deaths.

It Protects Others

It helps prevent the spread of the flu, especially when you think it might just be a cold, or don’t notice it at all. It also helps to protect your community, particularly children, working age adults, and pregnant women. When we protect our community, we can have the community for longer, which helps us all to stay on campus.

It Helps Fight COVID-19

Often, people have compared the flu and COVID-19. While the symptoms can be similar, it also means that by reducing flu risk you are providing that essential hospital space to those who might need it during the pandemic. There is also no evidence that says getting the flu vaccine will increase your risks of getting COVID-19.

You might be asking yourself where you can get your flu shot. There are tons of options! If you are on your parent's or your own insurance, you can go to most pharmacies and even grocery stores like Smith’s and Walmart. If you’re on the student insurance plan, you can visit the University of Utah Madsen Health Clinic on Foothill. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you have options as well. Most places will charge $25 for a flu shot to someone without insurance, but there are some other options, too. The University is running some programs to get your flu shot as well. See below for more information.

Here are a few Helpful Links

To learn more, click here.

If you have Student Health Insurance and want to get a flu shot, click here.

Checkout Smith's or Walmart for a local option!

If you are a resident, check out this link to sign up for Oct 28. (There are only a few spots left!)

Check back soon for updates and additional flu shot resources!