ISU WellBeing and occupational medicine will offer a free flu shot clinic for university employees in October.
The clinic is Monday through Friday for two weeks (Oct. 4-15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.) with the first hour each day reserved for high-risk individuals. Shots will be administered in the south court of State Gymnasium, and participants are asked to enter the gym through the south entrance.
All benefits-eligible employees are able to receive the vaccine without an appointment through paperless registration. That includes faculty, professional and scientific and merit staff, postdocs, retirees on the ISU health plan who are not yet 65 years old, and employees of the ISU Foundation, the Iowa State Daily and university child care centers. Spouses and children of employees aren't eligible to receive a flu shot at ISU clinic. ISU students can get a flu shot through Thielen Student Health Center.
Masks are required to receive the vaccine because the clinic is considered an extension of occupational medicine services, said ISU WellBeing coordinator Stephanie Downs.
"Masks must be worn when people enter State Gym," she said. "They will not be allowed in if they don't have a mask on, but we will have masks available."
Three nurses will give shots to create as much physical distancing as possible. No temperature check is required, but people will be asked about any symptoms they are experiencing before receiving the vaccine.
"It is not just because of COVID," Downs said. "If you are not feeling well and have a fever or cough it is usually not recommended to get the flu vaccine. We have two weeks, so we encourage people to come when they are feeling well."
Employees are asked to wear a short-sleeve or loose-fitting shirt to give the nurse easier access to an upper arm. Employees also are encouraged to bring their nine-digit university ID number.
Parking is limited, but four metered spots will be saved to the east of the gym for individuals attending the clinic. There also is a general staff lot to the south with permit required.
"There is some availability for parking, but we encourage people to walk," Downs said.
Members of ISU WellBeing's Adventure2 wellness engagement program will receive points for getting a flu shot.
The vaccine
Employees who get a shot will receive a four-component vaccine that protects against A and B flu virus strains. The vaccine contains the four viruses recommended this season by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- A/Victoria/2570/2019(H1N1) pdm09-like virus
- A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020 (H3N2)-like virus
- B/Washington /02/2019-like virus (B/Victoria lineage)
- B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (B/Yamagata lineage)
Alternative forms of the vaccine for the 2021-22 flu season are not available at the clinic. Those wanting a spray or mist vaccine or a high-dose vaccine should check with their primary doctor or pharmacy.
It takes about two weeks for antibodies that protect against the flu to fully develop. It is not possible to get the flu by receiving a flu shot because it is not a live virus, Downs said.
More information about the 2021-22 flu season is online, including on the ISU WellBeing website and a Q&A on the CDC website. Questions may be directed to the university human resources service center, 294-4800 or worklife@iastate.edu.
