For some students, fall is a season that includes changing leaves, pumpkin pie and cozy sweater weather. For others, fall may be a time of coughs, sneezes, fevers and the flu.

At UW Oshkosh, flu shot drop-in clinics will be available throughout October.

UWO senior Tatum Houlihan said she isn’t sure about the benefits of the flu shot.

“I have never received the flu shot,” she said. “I heard that they make you sick after you get them. Besides, it’s probably expensive and will hurt.”

Student Health Center Director Karen Sanchez said it isn’t the flu shot that causes illness.

“When people do become sick after receiving a flu shot, it’s because they were sick before the flu vaccination,” she said. “That’s why it’s important to receive your flu vaccine as soon as possible.”

Sanchez said the needle used for the flu shot isn’t something students need to be afraid of as it’s only about 0.5 mm thick.

“It’s a small needle, a half-inch long,” she said.

Sanchez said from 2017-18 there were 390 recorded deaths from the flu.

“Receiving a flu vaccine can protect others who are unable to receive the flu vaccine,” she said. “If you have asthma or any other health conditions, it’s especially important that you receive the flu vaccine to prevent any serious illness.”

Another common misconception regarding the flu is that you do not need a flu shot if you have already gotten sick.
“Just because you get sick with one flu does not mean you are immune to the other flu’s circulating,” Sanchez said.
Students can receive their flu vaccine at one of the drop-in times in Clow on October 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Blackhawk on October 22 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The cost of the flu vaccine is $15 and can be charged to your student account.

The drop-in flu shot appointments only take a few minutes and students who receive their flu shot during the drop-in times are given a 20% off bookstore coupon and are entered into a drawing for a $20 gift certificate to the bookstore.

For students who can’t attend the drop-in times, the Student Health Center will start administering flu vaccines starting October 1. Students can register using the online student health portal at shcportal.uwosh.edu to pick a time that works for them, or they can schedule an appointment by calling 920-424-2424.

Sanchez said students concerned about contracting the flu who have not been vaccinated should “call the Student Health Center right away and set up a flu vaccine.”