Flu Shots for Students
UW students can get a free flu shot at UHS at by calling 608-265-5600 to make an appointment. Don't forget to get your flu shot every year, typically in September/October.
Read more on what to do if you think you have the flu »
Hate Shots? We've Got FluMist Nasal Spray!
UHS also offers FluMist, a seasonal influenza vaccine administered as a painless nasal spray ($5 charge for FluMist).
Eligibility
You are eligible for a free flu shot from UHS if you are currently registered as a degree or special student at UW-Madison. (Guest students, faculty, and staff are not eligible.)
SHIP members and spouses/domestic partners of SHIP members are also eligible for these free flu shot clinics. (Sorry, UHS cannot vaccinate dependent children.)
Who Should Get a Flu Shot?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal influenza vaccination every year.
All students who want to reduce their chances of getting the flu are encouraged to get vaccinated. Students who have chronic conditions -- such as asthma, diabetes, or immune disorders -- that may put them at increased risk for complications of influenza are strongly encouraged to get a flu shot every year.
In a University of Minnesota study, more than one-third of college students said they had experienced an influenza-like illness during the academic year. They reported that their illness had resulted in missed classes and work, poor performance on tests and assignments, and needing to seek health care.
Who Shouldn’t Get a Flu Shot?
People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
Some people should consult a physician before being vaccinated. These include:
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
- People who developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of getting an influenza vaccine in the past.
Payment
Seasonal influenza vaccinations are funded by student segregated fees, so there is no charge for student flu shots.
More Information
Find out more about the flu, preventing it, and what to do if you get sick.
