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Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, getting the flu shot this fall or winter is more important than ever!
Influenza, or flu, is an illness caused by a virus that is passed from person to person. Millions of people get the flu each year. Hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes each year.
Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of illness, hospitalization and death. In fact, studies show that by receiving an annual flu shot you may be up to 60 percent less likely to need treatment for the flu.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing respiratory illnesses is important to protect vulnerable populations at risk for severe illness, the healthcare system, and other critical infrastructure.
For more information about the interplay between the flu and COVID-19, check out this page of FAQs from the CDC.
Walk-in flu shot clinics for students and staff are scheduled as follows:
No appointment is needed and shots are free for all students.
Flu shots will be strongly encouraged, but not mandated. If health and local government guidance is updated on this topic, this may be revisited.
Flu shots are free for employees with Chatham’s UPMC Health Plan. Employees should bring their UPMC Health Plan card. For employees on the UPMC Health Plan, flu shots will be provided via the clinics or free of charge at other approved locations (including Giant Eagle pharmacies) throughout the region. Fit for the Future wellness points are earned for receiving a flu shot.
Employees covered under other health plans pay $20 and will be provided with a receipt to submit to their health insurer.
Can’t make it at this time? Get your free flu shot at Rite Aid or Giant Eagle pharmacies or from your PCP doctor with your UPMC health insurance.
Flu season typically runs from September through February.
Getting the flu shot can:
In addition, getting the shot may also offer considerable other benefits, including reducing:
After the vaccine is administered, it takes about two weeks for the body to develop antibodies that provide protection against infection after vaccination. Most flu vaccines in the US protect against three or four different flu viruses.
No. Vaccination should be postponed for people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, regardless of whether they have symptoms, until they have met the criteria to discontinue their isolation.
Yes. Experts aren’t sure how common this is, but it does seem to be possible.
No, because the viruses that cause COVID-19 and the flu are different.
Can't find what you are looking for? Submit a question through our question form or e-mail the appropriate department.
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