Ward off influenza with discounted flu shots

As temperatures drop and members of the Penn community begin to reach for their tissues, the University is offering on-campus flu shots at a reduced cost to help faculty and staff ward off influenza.

In partnership with Occupational Medicine, the Division of Human Resources (HR) is offering three appointment-only flu shot clinics. The clinics will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 1, Tuesday, Oct. 8, and Friday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Wharton School, and the School of Nursing. Interested full- and part-time faculty and staff are required to pre-register online at the HR website.

To pre-register, visit the HR online course catalog and review the flu shot time slots and locations. Select your preferred date and time, and a full description will appear, including the exact location of your appointment. Select the “Register for Course” icon at the bottom of the page, and enter your PennKey and password to proceed with the registration. Registration will be open until the day before your preferred appointment date.

For the first time, HR has also teamed up with Student Health Service to expand its flu shot offerings to include walk-in clinics. The Student Health Service walk-in clinics will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 16, and Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Bodek Lounge, Houston Hall.

Shots at both clinics cost $25, cash only. Remember to bring your PennCard and wear clothing that will provide easy access to your upper arm. Employees can pick up health insurance and pre-tax account reimbursement forms on site.

Raina Vyas, a health promotion specialist in HR’s Quality of Worklife Programs, says receiving a flu vaccination is the single best way to prevent the spread of influenza each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Vyas adds that Penn has been offering the flu vaccine to the University community since 1997 in hopes of creating a campus culture of health and wellness.

For more information about Penn’s flu vaccine offerings, visit the HR website.

Flu Shot