University Health Services held a clinic on Bascom Hill Tuesday, offering free flu shots to UW-Madison students.
UHS Director of Marketing and Health Communications Marlena Holden said UHS wanted to reach students where they commonly are. She explained that it is helpful for students to take advantage of this free vaccination opportunity.
“If students get the flu, on average they’re sick for about five days,” Holden said. “We also know that it's a part of a good positive public health. It’s something called herd immunity. If you’re immunized you’re able to protect those around you who might not be able to become vaccinated.”
Holden said this is the first time UHS has done an outreach clinic on Bascom Hill. They were at Gordon Commons last week, and will have a clinic next Friday at the Health Sciences Learning Center. They will have the events throughout October in Union South, Dejope Residence Hall and the Chemistry Building.
According to Holden, UHS vaccinated 13,000 students last year. Last Friday, they gave 1,800 flu shots and nearly 200 HPV and meningitis shots. More information about the HPV and meningitis shots are available at the clinics.
Students can walk into the sixth floor Green Clinic of UHS Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for free flu shots until Nov. 28. Flu vaccinations will still be available after that date, but students will have to schedule appointments.
