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IU Today News for staff & faculty

Flu shot clinics scheduled at most campuses

By Caroline Dwyer Gilley

September 30, 2021

flu shot The IU Student Health Center on the Bloomington campus already has started seeing cases of the flu, according to medical director Beth Rupp. That means it’s more important than ever for staff and faculty to get their flu shots this year, she said.

Getting a flu shot should be the first step in preventing influenza. Anyone 6 months or older should get an annual flu shot, unless they have had a severe allergic reaction to the flu vaccine or one of its components in the past.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, getting a flu shot this year as the COVID-19 pandemic continues is critical. It can help reduce the overall impact of respiratory illnesses in the community, lessening the burden on the already-overloaded health care system.

Here are some more tips from Rupp:

  • It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body, so make plans to get vaccinated early in the fall, preferably before the end of October.
  • Getting a flu shot protects not only yourself but also those around you who may be particularly vulnerable to the flu.
  • Groups that are at the highest risk from the flu include the elderly, infants and those with chronic medical conditions. If you regularly interact with such people, you can help protect them by getting a flu shot.

Flu shots will be administered on most campuses this fall. You may also get vaccinated at your local pharmacy or health care provider.

Caroline Dwyer Gilley is assurance communications manager for IU Studios.