The Student Health and Wellness Center (HelWell) has been hosting on-campus flu clinics for Hopkins undergraduate and graduate students on the Homewood Campus.
The clinics are free for students on the University’s health plan or $20 for those with private insurance. Payment options include cash, check, credit card, J-Cash or bursar billing.
The clinics have been held at different locations across the Homewood Campus, including Brody Learning Commons, Charles Commons and AMR I. A clinic was also held at the Peabody Institute.
Additionally, starting this year, the first 75 students at each clinic who do not have the student health plan will also be able to get vaccinated for free.
Dr. Roanna Kessler, director of HelWell, noted that while the vaccine has always been free for students on the university’s health insurance plan, the idea to incorporate this incentive came from a successful pilot clinic from last year.
“Last year we had one flu clinic sponsored by Homewood Student Affairs where we gave 60 vaccines for free, and it was very well attended,” Kessler said.
She added that HelWell had decided this year to try to expand the free flu-shot program.
“We requested funding in our budget to cover the projected cost of flu vaccines for all students with other insurance plans. The amount of funding we received was enough to pay for about 75 vaccines during each of our nine clinics.”
Kessler reported that the flu clinics have been a resounding success so far this year.
“The turnout has been great. In the first four clinics this year we have vaccinated 655 students, compared to 466 during the first four clinics last year,” Kessler said.
As in previous years, HelWell has advertised the clinics across campus with posted signs, including ones that compare getting the flu with receiving poor test scores.
Sophomore Jason Rutberg said that the HelWell has done a great job of advertising the clinics to students through posters and paper signs.
“There’s a noticeable presence on campus, especially [with] signs on the quads and flyers on several different buildings and in the residence halls” Rutberg said.
Many students have reacted positively to the clinics this year and encouraged other students to take advantage of their convenience.
Sophomore Sydnee Wong noted that the process went by very quickly.
“It was good. It was very fast. I got there early to get a free shot because I learned from last year. The doctors and the nurses were really friendly, and it only hurts about as much as you would expect,” Wong said.
In the 2017-18 flu season, an estimated 79,000 people died from the flu. An estimated 960,000 people were hospitalized due to the flu as well. According to usage statistics from the 2016-17 flu season, only 43.3 percent of adults over the age of 18 receive the seasonal flu vaccine.
Sophomore Eden Sheinin stated that she plans on taking advantage of the flu clinics on campus.
“It’s a free service, and I don’t want to get the flu,” Sheinin said.
Sophomore William Leister is also looking forward to getting vaccinated and stressed the importance of getting a flu shot considering the prevalence of the illness on campus.
“I plan on using Hopkins’ flu services this year because I can get the flu shot for free with my Hopkins health insurance,” Leister said.
Clinics will continue to be held throughout the fall semester on the Homewood Campus through Wednesday, Dec. 4. Most clinics will be held in the Brody Learning Commons, and one will be held in Levering Hall. The HelWell website has the complete schedule of all past and present flu clinics.
