SLU needs you . . . to get a flu shot!
Dear Billiken Companions,
I am pleased to be writing to you during the 8th week of the semester. We’re still open, and many of you are still here taking in-person classes. That’s due in large part to you and your commitment to keeping our campus safe. I write today because, once again, the SLU community needs your help.
Consistent with recommendations by leading health experts and local health departments, we are asking all Billikens to get a flu shot this year. This expectation is consistent with your Campus Commitment to do your part to keep SLU healthy, safe, and open, and to keep your local community safe.
So what do you need to know? Detailed information (including how to sign up for a no-cost flu shot on campus next week, how to inform us that you’ve gotten a flu shot off campus, and how to request an exemption) can be found below or at www.slu.edu/flu.
Keep an eye out for social media campaigns, other messaging, and details about some friendly competitions among student organizations. A big thanks to CSO leaders who shared their ideas and to the Public Health Ambassadors who are working on this project!
Finally, THANK YOU. Thank you for choosing every day to embrace our public health precautions and to keep all members of our campus and local communities healthy. The flu vaccine is just another way we can demonstrate our commitment to being persons for others.
Let’s do our part for #OneSLU #NoFLU #FightFLU!
Debra Rudder Lohe, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
Interim Vice President for Student Development
While the flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19, maximizing influenza vaccinations among our student body will do two important things that will help to keep the campus open for in-person learning: 1) it will reduce the impact on the Student Health Center and the local health system in St. Louis, and 2) it will reduce the likelihood that we will fill up on-campus isolation housing (which could lead to a need for the University to pivot to remote learning).
Because the symptoms of seasonal flu overlap with COVID-19, students with flu symptoms may have to isolate until we can rule out COVID-19. It’s also important to know that many students are already required to get an annual flu vaccine as part of a clinical or educational program requirement.
Saint Louis University will be offering on-campus flu shots for all students at multiple times and locations on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit www.slu.edu/flu to schedule a time and location that works well for you. Walk-ins are also welcome.
It’s pretty easy –– just schedule your flu shot, complete the Consent and Insurance form (pick up a paper copy at the information desks in Busch Student Center or Simon Recreation Center and at the main circulation desk at Pius Library), and show up!. Note: you will need your insurance card to complete the form. Having all of this done prior to your vaccination appointment will speed up the process. No health insurance? Your flu shot is on us.
We know some students will prefer to get their flu shots off campus, and that works, too. We just ask you to let us know by completing this form. Even if you’re learning remotely this fall, we encourage you to protect your local community by getting a flu shot and to let us know, so we can know how we’re doing on our goal to get all students vaccinated!
If you get your flu shot on October 15, we can guarantee there will be no cost to you. Your health insurance plan will reimburse the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater St. Louis, a non-profit agency that is partnering with SLU to administer your flu shot.
If you do not have health insurance (or if your plan does not cover this expense), the flu shot will be provided at no cost to you.
Exemptions are available by completing this online exemption form. We will use this information to track progress toward campus-wide goals for flu vaccination.
If you have questions about getting your flu shot, you can visit www.slu.edu/flu or email fightflu@slu.edu.