As the colder air rolls in, students have to prepare for two things: midterms and the flu. Flu outbreaks in dorms are common. Close quarters allow respiratory illness to spread quickly. The flu season is generally lasts from Nov. to Feb., but in recent years, it starts earlier and ends later.
One precaution most people take is getting their flu shot, either at the University Health Center or a local pharmacy.
The Health Center had flu shot events where students can walk in and get their shots.
“We try to have a flu vaccine clinic weekly,” said Maureen Keown, director of health services. “Generally, we send out an email notifying students of the event, and hopefully, by advertising specific flu vaccine clinics, it encourages students to come get the flu vaccine. We have had a good showing for flu vaccines since starting the flu clinics.”
The university will have the vaccine available for the rest of the school year and into next year before the new one rolls out. This is in response to the extended flu season.
However, the Health Center’s flu shot is not free. Students have to pay $35 to get the vaccine.
“UHS charges for the flu vaccine because it is a cost to our department,” said Keown. “Students can receive the vaccine at UHS, and they can print a copy of the receipt and submit it to their insurance plan. We are considered out of network for most insurances, so it would be best to call your insurance and ask if they would reimburse for the vaccine fee.”
Not all students are on board with being charged for their flu shot.
“I think we pay enough to go here that [a free flu shot] should be a reasonable thing,” said Brigitte Gendron, FCRH ’26. “We pay for school insurance, and that should cover it.”
“It should be free,” said Grace Lawlur, FCRH ’27.
Keown said she recommends students who cannot pay should go to local pharmacies for their shots. The Walgreens on Fordham Road currently offers the vaccine and accepts most major insurance plans.
Throughout the season, the Health Center said it plans to keep students aware of how to keep themselves safe during flu season.
“Students are educated on preventative measures to take, and measures to take when they have the flu. We communicate this during their visits to UHS and on our monthly newsletter,” said Keown. “Students can also walk in for a flu vaccine at any time, and UHS would fit this into the schedule as soon as possible that day.”
Students also have personal precautions they take. These include stocking up on medicine, staying hydrated and monitoring loved ones’ health.
As flu season comes, an increased risk of COVID-19 follows. Students who visit the health center with flu-like symptoms are also tested for COVID-19. The Health Center continues to recommend students get the most recent COVID-19 booster. However, the Health Center does not offer the booster.
Keown said she recommends students also look to local pharmacies for access to the booster. However, since the U.S. Government no longer has control of the vaccines, private companies are handling distribution, and it’s become much more challenging to get an appointment.
Pharmacies have to order and pay upfront for the vaccines themselves. And while Pfizer and Moderna both have shipped their doses, finding appointments is still difficult for many citizens.
In previous years, the Health Center used surveillance testing to keep an eye on the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Fordham community. There are no plans to bring that back, as Keown said Fordham’s COVID-19 numbers have stayed low.
Students interested in getting their flu shot should call the Health Center, whose number can be found on their website. Students can also email them for more information at [email protected].
