The calendar churning from September to October means fall weather has finally arrived, and exciting events such as Halloween and the North Carolina State Fair are just around the corner. It also, however, means the start of flu season. 

Fortunately, at NC State, the Campus Health Center is once again ready to help NC State students, faculty and staff protect themselves and those around them from the flu. 

From October through early December, Campus Health will once again run weekly flu vaccine clinics across campus. The flu vaccine significantly lessens an individual’s chances of contracting the virus, and, if a vaccinated person does get the flu, the illness will be significantly less severe. 

“The flu vaccine is the most effective thing that you can do to prevent yourself from getting the flu,” said Tyler Pearce, Campus Health’s assistant director of community health. “It protects both you and those around you. It plays into that herd immunity concept. If I’m protected, I am also protecting my friends, my family members, anyone that I am coming into contact with as well.”

In an environment such as a college campus, the importance of that herd immunity concept for members of the community is heightened. 

“Anywhere that people are living in close quarters, which happens pretty regularly on a college campus, any infectious or communicable disease is going to have a higher chance of spreading,” Pearce said. “People are sharing common spaces such as bathrooms, dining halls or living quarters. It makes it much easier for sicknesses and viruses to spread from person to person when there are more people in a closed, congregate living area.” 

The flu clinics will run every Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Oct. 13 through Dec. 8 at locations across both main and Centennial Campus. Dates are subject to change.

Before visiting a flu vaccine clinic, upload a copy of your health insurance card to the HealthyPack Portal using the insurance tab at the top prior to your arrival at the clinic. If you have not done so before your visit, you will be asked to do it at or after your appointment.

“We really enjoy the opportunity to help protect the Wolfpack community,” Pearce said. “We try to make it as easy and convenient as possible for anyone in our community to receive the vaccine. Our campus health staff really enjoys the opportunity to go out, interact with students and employees, and promote healthy lifestyles and hygienic practices.” 

Flu vaccines will also be available by appointment at the Campus Health Center, with additional information coming soon.