Flu Shots

 

Flu shots are available for all CU Boulder students, staff and faculty. 

Schedule an Appointment

For students, faculty and staff

MyCUHealth Portal

Cancellations: Appointments can be canceled in the MyCUHealth Portal. All cancellations must be made by 5 p.m. the business day before your appointment. Late cancellations and missed appointments will result in a $60 charge.

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If you have questions about services, hours, after-hours care or other concerns, please visit our contact page.

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Student Flu Shots  

Stay healthy all season long by getting a free flu shot at one of our clinics around campus. Student flu shots are available by appointment only. You can find flu shot clinics at the following locations and times:

  • Wardenburg Health Center - Starting Sept. 15
    • Monday-Friday from 9-11 a.m.
  • Kittredge Central
    • Sep 30 from 1-4 p.m.
    • Oct 1-2 from 1-4 p.m.
  • Rec Center | Rec Center Lobby - Starting Oct. 1
    • Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-4 p.m.
  • Engineering | ECNW 150A
    • Oct. 6, 7, 8 from 1-4 p.m. 
  • Wolf Law | Boettcher Hall
    • Oct. 14 from 1-4 p.m.
    • Oct. 15 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
  • Stearns Central | Flex Room
    • Oct. 27 from 1-4 p.m.
  • Willard Hall Classroom
    • Oct. 28 from 1-4 p.m.
  • Athens North | Community Room
    • Oct. 29 from 1-4 p.m.

Faculty and Staff Flu Shots

Flu shots are available for all CU Boulder staff and faculty. Employees are encouraged to register online for a clinic date. Flu shots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, as vaccine supplies for each clinic date are limited. All flu clinic attendees will also receive a free cold care kit from WorkWell!

Register for a flu shot

Preventing the Flu  

  • Avoid close contact: Avoid close contact with people who appear sick or who do not feel well. 
  • Avoid touching your face: Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. 
  • Cover your cough/sneeze: Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or the crook of your elbow rather than your hands. 
  • Get vaccinated: Getting the flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu. 
  • Stay home: If you’re sick or don’t feel well, stay home.
  • Wash your hands: Use warm water and soap to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. 
  • Wear a mask: Masks can help prevent airborne transmission of viruses like the flu. 

Flu Symptoms  

Common flu symptoms can include: 

  • Cough 
  • Fatigue (very tired) 
  • Fever or feeling feverish 
  • Headaches 
  • Muscle, body aches or chills
  • Runny or stuffy nose  
  • Sore throat 
  • Vomiting or diarrhea (most common in children) 

Flu Vaccine Information  

 
  • Antibiotics will not treat the flu virus. 

Because the flu is a virus, antibiotics cannot be used to treat it. However, there are a variety of flu-specific medications available. They are most effective when taken within the first 48 hours of symptoms. It is better to prevent the flu altogether by getting vaccinated.

  • Can I get the flu and COVID vaccines at the same time? 

Yes, it is safe to get a flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.

  • Cold weather does not cause the flu. 

Cold weather often causes us to spend more time indoors with other people, which creates more chances for close contact and transmission. However, it is not spread because of the cold weather itself. 

  • Flu vaccines can protect yourself and others. 

Flu vaccines can help prevent you and those around you from getting the flu. They can also reduce your chances of illness, severe complications, doctor visits, hospitalizations and missed work or school due to the flu. The more people who get vaccinated, the more people will be protected against the flu. 

  • Flu vaccines don’t guarantee you won’t get the flu. 

Flu vaccines are based on predictions about the strain of flu that is likely to spread or be the most problematic during a particular flu season. Because multiple strains may be circulating at once, it is not guaranteed that your shot will protect you against them all. Maintaining good hygiene, avoiding close contact with sick people and covering your nose and coughs can all help prevent infection.

 
  • The flu spreads through droplets. 

Experts believe the flu virus spreads through droplets created when we cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land on others nearby and infect them. A person might also get the flu by touching surfaces that have the flu virus on them before touching their mouth, eyes or nose, though it is less common. 

  • The "stomach flu" is not the same as the seasonal flu. 

Influenza (the flu) is primarily a respiratory viral infection. The “stomach flu” is different from seasonal influenza and typically refers to a variety of gastrointestinal viral infections that can cause nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Seasonal influenza is characterized by five classic symptoms including fever, headache, cough, sore throat and bodyaches. 

  • Who should get vaccinated? 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu shot for anyone over 6 months of age. It is recommended that you receive a flu shot by the end of October if possible. While everyone should get a flu shot for flu season, it is especially important for those who are at high-risk of developing flu-related complications. Flu vaccines are strongly recommended for those who are elderly, pregnant or who have a chronic health condition.  

  • You cannot catch the flu from the flu vaccine. 

The most common flu vaccines use parts of killed or inactive flu viruses. Live versions of the flu vaccine are made from weakened strains of the flu. Flu shots cannot give you the flu. If a person gets sick after receiving a flu shot, it is most likely because they are already sick or they are experiencing an immune response, which is normal. Side effects generally include soreness at the injection site, minor illness and aches.