Flu Vaccine and COVID Booster
Published November 30, 2021
See all editions of Covid in Focus here.
Help Your Campus Community Stay Healthy This Winter
This winter, you can help your campus community stay healthy by educating students, faculty, and staff about two important vaccines: the flu vaccine and COVID-19 boosters. Here’s what you need to know.
Flu vaccination is especially important this year.
Last year’s flu season was mild, in part because COVID-19 guidelines kept many people at home during the winter. Now that physical distancing rules have relaxed, many of us are spending more time with friends and family. In-person learning is back, residence halls are full, and more students are going home for the holidays. All these changes mean more cases of the flu. In fact, we’ve already seen higher flu activity this fall compared to the past 3 years. So it’s especially important for students, faculty, and staff to get the flu vaccine.
Many adults now qualify for COVID-19 boosters.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently expanded eligibility for COVID-19 boosters. Now, everyone age 18 or older can get a booster:
- 2 months after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
- 6 months after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine
Now is the time to encourage students, faculty, and staff to get a COVID-19 booster. People can even save time by getting the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster at the same appointment.
Encourage students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated.
By getting the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster, students, faculty, and staff can help the whole campus community stay safe. Use the following talking points and social media content to encourage your community to get vaccinated.
Talking Points to Share with Students, Faculty, and Staff
Use these talking points to educate students, faculty, and staff about the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster. For example, you could share them on your campus intranet site, as an article in your campus newspaper, or in an email to your campus community. Or just keep them on hand to answer questions about getting vaccinated.
Get Your Flu Vaccine and COVID-19 Booster
Flu season is here! During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s especially important to protect yourself and the people around you from the flu. Getting the flu vaccine is an easy step you can take to stay healthy.
If you’ve already been vaccinated against COVID-19, it may be time for your COVID-19 booster, too. The booster will help your body get even better at fighting off COVID-19. You can even save time by getting both vaccines at the same appointment!
Why is it so important to get vaccinated?
No one wants to bring COVID-19 or the flu home for the holidays! Now is the time to get vaccinated. By getting your flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster, you’re not just protecting yourself. You’re also protecting friends and family who are more likely to get very sick — like pregnant people and people with disabilities or health problems.
Get your flu vaccine
Do I need to get the flu vaccine?
Yes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older. The flu may not seem like a big deal, but it can cause serious health problems. Even if you don’t get very sick from the flu, you might miss out on class, work, and activities you care about.
When can I get the flu vaccine?
It’s best to get the flu vaccine as soon as possible, so you’ll be protected for the rest of flu season.
Where can I get the flu vaccine?
Here are a few places that give flu vaccines:
- Your campus health center
- Health care providers’ offices
- Local pharmacies
- Community health clinics
- Local health departments
Is the flu vaccine free?
Most health insurance plans cover the cost of the flu vaccine. Be sure to bring your health insurance card and ID to your appointment.
Get your COVID-19 booster
Do I need a COVID-19 booster?
If you’re age 18 or older and it’s been a few months since you got vaccinated for COVID-19, it may be time for a booster. Getting a booster will give you more protection to help your body fight off COVID-19.
If you received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine
You need a booster if it’s been 2 months since you got vaccinated.
If you received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine
You can get a booster if it’s been 6 months since your last dose.
If you have serious health issues that affect your immune system (the system in your body that fights off infections), ask your health care provider when to get the vaccines you need to stay safe from COVID-19.
Where can I get a COVID-19 booster?
You can search vaccines.gov or text your ZIP code to 438829 to find a COVID-19 booster location near you. Here are a few places that give COVID-19 boosters:
- Our campus health center
- Health care providers’ offices
- Local pharmacies
- Community health clinics
- Local health departments
Is it okay to “mix and match” COVID-19 vaccines and boosters?
Yes. You can get a booster from Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson. It doesn’t matter which vaccine you got before.
Is the COVID-19 booster free?
The COVID-19 booster is free for everyone, even if you don’t have health insurance.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
Be sure to bring your COVID-19 vaccine card with you. Also bring your ID and health insurance card if you have one.
Social Media Content to Share with Students, Faculty, and Staff
You can post this content on your campus social media accounts to encourage students, faculty, and staff to get the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster.
Facebook and Instagram
Flu season is here! Getting the flu vaccine is an easy step you can take to stay healthy this winter. And if you’re already vaccinated for COVID-19, you may qualify for a COVID booster to give your body a little extra protection.
It’s time for your COVID booster if you’re 18 or older and:
[checkmark emoji] You got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine 2 months ago
[checkmark emoji] You got your last dose of Pfizer or Moderna 6 months ago
Learn more about boosters from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
Twitter
Flu season is here! Now is the time to get your flu vaccine. If you’ve already been vaccinated for COVID-19, it may be time for your COVID-19 booster, too. Learn more about boosters from @CDCgov: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
Images for Sharing
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