Say Boo to the Flu at SDSU
Free vaccines for students now available; pop-up clinics set for Oct. 23 and Halloween.
SDSU’s annual “Say Boo to the Flu” campaign is providing free flu vaccines to students while supplies last, through appointments and pop-up clinics.
The campaign is a collaboration among Student Health Services, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, SDSU Well-being & Health Promotion, Live Well Aztecs and the School of Nursing. Last year, SDSU health professionals administered 1,521 flu vaccines during the campaign.
“We are looking forward to this year's campaign and helping to protect our students and our community against the flu,” said Libby Skiles, director of Student Health Services. “It is important for students to get vaccinated against the flu every year in order to minimize their chances of getting the flu and to prevent impact to their academic work.”
Cold, flu and sore throat had the fourth highest health impact on academic performance for SDSU students in 2018, Skiles noted. Flu can sideline students for a week or longer.
During October, students with a valid RedID can get a free flu vaccine by going online to HealtheConnect for an appointment or attending one of two pop-up clinics:
• Oct. 23, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Campanile Walkway
• Oct. 31, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Goldberg Courtyard, Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union
“With just a few minutes of their time, students can take this small step to reduce the impact the flu can have,” Skiles sad.
In addition to preventing contraction of the flu, the vaccine has proven effective in reducing the severity of symptoms, she said.
Students, in addition to getting the annual flu vaccine, can also prevent illness through healthy behaviors, such as frequent hand-washing and getting enough rest.
“If you pair this with good virus prevention habits, like washing your hands, not sharing drinks or food with others, and not going to classes or the gym when you are sick, you will not only keep yourself healthier, but you will be keeping our SDSU community healthier as well,” said Stephanie Galia, director of SDSU’s Department of Well-being & Health Promotion.
