Student Health Services offers free flu shots

Mascots Willie (left) and Kate (right) wear scrubs in honor of the flu shot clinic. // Photo courtesy of Jacob Lewis.

Hofstra again offers free flu vaccines to all students and staff this year. Located on the 10th floor of the Axinn Library, the flu shot clinic began on Tuesday, Sept. 6, and will continue in the coming weeks. According to Rob Stahl, executive director of Hofstra’s Student Health Services (SHS), the clinic had a high demand in its first week. “We’ve had about 900 students that have received their flu vaccine from us in this week alone,” Stahl said.

Eliana Zlicha, a junior psychology major, said she had a good experience when getting her flu shot on campus.

“I was really happy to hear that Hofstra was providing free flu shots because it allowed me to get vaccinated much more conveniently,” she said. “It is really nice to attend a school that cares so much about the health of the students.”

Stahl urges all students to get the flu shot.

“It’s important to protect yourself to reduce the severity of the flu if you do get it and to protect your friends and family,” Stahl said.

Stahl said that people opt out of getting the flu vaccine for several reasons. However, according to him, the most common is that people don’t think they need the vaccine since they have never had the flu. In response to this he said, “No one’s been struck by lightning until they’ve been struck by lightning.”

Katie Blakeley, a senior drama and English major, also reported having a good experience receiving their flu shots. They also said that there was a question on the intake survey asking if they would be interested in receiving the new COVID-19 booster. According to Blakeley, the boosters were not being offered at this time, but the survey gauged students’ interest in the vaccine.

“COVID boosters are in transition across the country. Basically, what’s happening is the new COVID booster, which is what’s called a bivalent COVID booster, is coming out,” Stahl said. “That’s a booster that contains both the original strain of COVID and the variant of COVID that is currently more common in the area.”

According to Stahl, SHS is not yet offering the booster, but it is on the list to receive it as the booster is being delivered across the country.

“We’re going to host COVID booster clinics, and we’re going to offer the flu shot at the same time,” Stahl said.

According to Stahl, they should have these clinics up and running in a few weeks.

As of now, students and faculty are not required by the university to receive the newest COVID-19 booster as they were with the previous vaccines. However, Stahl highly recommends it to students, faculty and staff. Blakeley urges the Hofstra community to “take advantage of free healthcare.”

Zilcha also agrees that the Hofstra community should get vaccinated for both COVID-19 and the flu if possible.

“I think getting vaccinated in general is a smart choice,” she said, “and will not only keep us safe as individuals but help to keep the entire Hofstra community safe.”