UAB is offering free flu shots during the whole month of October for employees, faculty, students and patients at multiple UAB locations.
“The flu shot annually is obviously very important for students, especially this year with more on- campus activities, more students on campus in general, things going back to normal. I think we’re probably going to see a worse flu season this year,” said Dr. Kathleen Pridgen, associate medical director of UAB Student Health Services.
UAB experts have said this is the most important flu vaccine ever. It’s important to get the flu shot in case you might contract COVID-19 and the flu at the same time, which could be severe. The flu shot will help minimize chances of that happening.
“If you can prevent getting the other infectious disease that looks a lot like COVID, you’re also saving yourself that sort of preliminary isolation and having to wait around for your test results, which is just a major inconvenience,” said Pridgen.
With COVID-19 already taking up much of the hospital space available, a bad flu year may only contribute to that ongoing problem.
“The flu vaccine is actually very effective at preventing hospitalization and death,” said Pridgen.
Faculty, staff and UAB Medicine employees can get their flu vaccine through Employee Health. No appointment is necessary, but proof of employment via UAB name badge is required.
Faculty vaccinations will be available at the Margaret Cameron Spain Auditorium. Times and dates can be found here.
Students should go through Student Health and Wellness to get their free vaccinations. Book an appointment at the Student Health home page. Bring your ONE Card and a mask, and make sure to socially distance from others.
If you are interested in getting the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu shot at the same time, experts say doing this has “long been safe and effective.”
“It’s also important from a public health perspective, again, to not only protect yourself, but to protect the entire Birmingham community,” said Pridgen.
UAB encourages everyone to get both vaccines to keep the campus community as safe as possible.
Find more information at UAB United.
