Many local health care providers and community clinics have started offering vaccinations against seasonal influenza — the “regular” flu shots that many people get every year.
Seasonal flu shots do not provide any protection against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus that has been linked to the current outbreak on campus. However, they are formulated to be protective against other strains that may circulate later this year.
To limit the spread of disease in the community, all faculty, staff and students are encouraged to get a seasonal flu shot every year.
On Sept. 21, University Health Services (UHS) began offering free seasonal flu shots for all registered UW-Madison students. Flu shots are available without an appointment from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday on the sixth floor of 333 East Campus Mall, and on selected dates in certain residence hall locations. For more information, including a complete schedule of satellite clinics, click here.
Seasonal flu shot clinics for UW-Madison employees will be provided at 12 campus locations beginning Monday, Nov. 3, and running through Friday, Nov. 14. Download the full calendar of campus clinics (PDF).
UW-Madison has set a goal of immunizing 5,000 faculty, academic, and classified staff, says Jim Morrison, occupational health officer.
Seasonal flu shots are especially important for people in the following groups: people of any age with chronic medical conditions, children aged 6 months to 19 years, pregnant women, people over 50 years of age, and people who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including health care workers, household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu, household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated). In addition, campus researchers who work with flu viruses or other agents that may cause influenza-like illness should receive both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccinations.
Faculty and staff have the option of waiting for the campus clinics, making an appointment with their health care provider at any time or going to a community clinic. The following listed providers are able to assist:
— Dean, (608) 250-1383
— GHC, (608) 828-4853
— Unity, (800) 362-3310
— Home Health United, (608) 241-7279
— Walgreens Take Care Clinics, (866) 825-3227
Payment for employee vaccinations offered on campus will be processed directly to the employee’s state health insurance provider. If you go to an out-of-network provider such as a community clinic, you may have to pay first and then seek reimbursement.
For employees with Dean Care, Physicians Plus, Group Health Cooperative or Unity health insurance, flu shots are administered at no charge if you bring your insurance card with you to the clinic.
If you do not bring your insurance card with you, a fee of $30 for the flu shot will be required. If you pay for the shot on site, a receipt will be provided so you can obtain reimbursement from your insurance provider. Please plan to pay with cash or check.
The current estimate for H1N1 vaccine is that it would be delivered in mid-October, and the CDC will be directing it to be used first for certain “target groups,” such as pregnant women, health care workers and people with high-risk health conditions. If the vaccine is available when the seasonal flu shot clinics for employees are held in November, UW-Madison plans to offer H1N1 vaccines to employees who fall into the CDC’s “target groups. UHS will be providing free H1N1 flu shots to students.
For more about CDC recommendations regarding H1N1 vaccine and a list of “target groups,” click here.