Fighting the Flu Together

The fall season is here and that means it’s time to get your flu shot. Getting a flu vaccination this year is more important than ever as the world continues to deal with COVID-19. By getting a flu shot you can protect yourself, your family, and your community against influenza while preserving health care resources needed to continue fighting the pandemic.

Student Health Service (SHS) will offer on-campus flu vaccine clinics in Houston Hall, Bodek Lounge from Monday, October 12 through Friday, October 16. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. The walk-in clinics are free to faculty and staff. You do not need to register in advance, but you will need to bring your PennCard and be ready to show a “cleared” PennOpen Pass result on the day of your visit.

Clinics sponsored by Human Resources will not be held this year, but you do have other options for getting a flu shot besides through SHS, especially if you continue to work remotely.

Using your medical insurance card, faculty and staff can get a flu vaccine at in-network locations such as a physician’s office, Urgent Care center, or pharmacy. In accordance with the Affordable Care Act, flu vaccines are considered preventive services, so if you go to an in-network provider you will not have a copay through your medical insurance plan. If you have health insurance outside of Penn, please check with your provider for available flu vaccine options.

Effective October 1, 2020, faculty and staff who are enrolled in one of Penn’s health plans can also get a flu shot at their local CVS pharmacy with no copay using their CVS Caremark card.

Benefits-eligible faculty and staff can earn Bonus Action points for the 2020-2021 Be in the Know campaign when they receive a flu vaccine. You will need to submit an Attestation Form on the Virgin Pulse platform to receive credit.

For more information about the upcoming flu season and what to expect during COVID-19, visit www.cdc.gov/flu.