Free flu shots are being offered to state employees across the University of Arizona campus, starting Oct. 2 at the Farmers Market in the University of Arizona Health Sciences Plaza from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Most seasonal flu activity happens between October and May with U.S. peaks between December and February, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s generally recommended that people get their flu shots by October.
UA & State Employees
Offered as part of the state employee benefits package through UA Life & Work Connections (LWC) and Healthwaves, you can find eligibility criteria and a full schedule of dates, times and locations across campus here. Healthwaves nurses administer flu and other immunization clinics onsite for employer groups that include the state of Arizona. A dozen UA flu clinic sites are scheduled through Oct. 15 in Tucson. Be sure to bring your CatCard or health insurance card.
To be eligible for the shot without a fee, your health insurance card should include “Benefit Options.” Otherwise, the cost is $40, the same fee to students or the general public — who are welcome, said Jodi Charvoz, MEd, RD, ACE, a counselor with the LWC’s Employee Wellness & Health Promotion program. That cost is higher this year because the shot is a quadrivalent vaccine that covers four strains of the flu bug as opposed to trivalent versions that cover only three, Charvoz added.
UA Students & Staff
UA students can get free flu shots at UA Campus Health at 1224 E. Lowell St. There’s also no charge to university employees who have their health insurance through Cigna, United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield or Aetna – otherwise, it’s a $20 fee. Just the regular trivalent vaccine is being administered, said Campus Health immunization coordinator Amy Direnfeld, RN, because of the university’s demographic of largely “young, healthy people.” Campus Health also will offer the flu shots at clinics from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the UA Mall on Oct. 12, 13, 28 and 29, and in the Campus Rec Lobby on Nov. 5. For updates, check the Campus Health Flu News webpage.
Banner – UMC Staff & Physicians
At Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and South, Banner staff can get free flu shots in Banner’s ongoing “No Flu for You” campaign, now in its fourth year. Those eligible: Banner MDs (physicians and residents), UA MDs and medical students (on rotation at a Banner facility), Banner employees and Banner volunteers, said Jennifer Oxuzidis, RN, interim director, Banner Employee Health in Tucson.
Flu shot clinics at Banner facilities include:
- Oct. 8, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., La Galería, BUMC South
- Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-noon, Patagonia Room, BUMC Corporate, 575 E. River Road
- Oct. 9, 1-3:30 p.m., Exercise Room, Banner Staffing Services, 655 E. River Road
- Oct. 15, 1-3 p.m., 1st floor Break Room, Wilmot Physician Offices
- Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Room 2104B, UA Cancer Center - North
- Oct. 30, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. DuVal Auditorium, BUMC Tucson
For the most current listing and additional dates in November, see the Banner Flu Resources intranet webpage (must be on Banner computer to view).
All physicians, staff, volunteers and medical students on rotation are required to receive a flu vaccine or submit an approved medical or religious exemption by Dec. 1, 2015 (exemption forms are available at the above link). To get the shot, you must either have a Banner ID or, for UA physicians, residents and medical students, provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. Banner Health believes flu vaccination is the right thing to do to protect patients, colleagues’ families and staff. Banner flu shot clinics are not open to the public.
Oxuzidis said three different types of shots are available at the Banner flu shot clinics, the regular trivalent (afluria) vaccine, one for folks age 65 or older (booster), and the egg-free flu block version for those with egg allergies. She anticipates Employee Health giving about 8,000 shots in total.
More Flu Info
For additional flu shot clinics across the state and clinics located by county, visit:
- http://www.healthwaves.com/Healthwaves/Public_Flu_Clinics.html
- http://benefitoptions.az.gov/wellness/wellness%20flu%20schedule.html#Pima
For more information about the flu, check out the links below. These present an overview of what to do to decrease your chances of illness and how to minimize the symptoms if you do get sick.
- Facts about the Flu (CDC)
- More Facts About the Flu (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- Wash Your Hands (A poster to share with your office)