Flu vaccination clinics available for students, employees, and general public
To help students, employees, and community members avoid getting the flu this fall and winter, Virginia Tech is offering several flu vaccination clinics in the coming weeks.
Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is a disease affecting the respiratory tract. It is highly contagious, can be transmitted even before flu-like symptoms appear, and generally spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Typical symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue, and usually set in one to three days after exposure.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, annual vaccination is especially recommended for certain high-risk groups including children ages six months to five years, pregnant women, people 50 years of age or older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, and people who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.
People who live with or care for those within those high-risk groups, such as health care workers and household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of young children, are encouraged to be vaccinated annually.
Students and general public
Virginia Tech’s Schiffert Health Center will hold a seasonal flu vaccine clinic on Wednesday, Oct. 1 from 10 a.m.to 7 p.m. in McComas Hall Gym. The clinic is open to the Virginia Tech students, faculty, staff, and the public.
The flu vaccine will be available in both nasal mist and injectable forms. A limited number of vaccines will also be available for Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR), Hepatitis B, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap), and meningitis, all of which are required for entrance to Virginia Tech. A limited supply of pneumococcal vaccine will also be offered.
The clinic is for adults and children aged six months and up. Those under the age of 18 will need a parental consent form signed. For students, faculty, staff, and community members with Aetna or Anthem BCBS of VA insurance, there is no co-pay required for the flu shot. Participants must have a health insurance ID card.
Vaccine prices are as follows:
- Flu shot: $23
- Flu mist: $40
- MMR: $90
- Hepatitis B: $85
- Tdap: $70
- Meningitis: $135
- Pneumococcal: $95
Payment is accepted in the form of Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express credit cards, as well as cash or check.
For information on the flu and flu vaccines, please visit Schiffert Health Center’s flu FAQ website.
Parking for McComas Hall Gym is available 7 a.m.to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a visitor’s pass. Attendees can park in the Coliseum Lot located along Washington Street and Spring Road. A visitor’s pass may be obtained Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Visitor Information Center, located at 965 Prices Fork Road, near the intersection of Prices Fork and University City Boulevard next to the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center.
After 5 p.m., free parking is available in the Coliseum Lot located along Washington Street and Spring Road. Find more parking information online or call 540-231-3200.
Employees
Flu vaccinations, via injection or nasal mist, are free for all benefited Virginia Tech employees and their covered family members. Employees who do not have health insurance coverage through Virginia Tech may get a flu vaccination at one of the Hokie Wellness clinics for a discounted rate of $21. The clinics will be held in Blacksburg and at several extended campus locations in October and November.
The flu vaccine will be available in both nasal mist and injectable forms. Children must weigh at least 33 pounds to receive a vaccination.
A complete schedule is available online. Registration is required.
For more information contact the Human Resources Service Center: Send an email, start an online chat using the link on the right, or call 540-231-9331.
