Staff and Faculty Flu Vaccination Options

Flu Season is Here

Flu season is right around the corner. It is more important than ever to get a flu vaccine this year.

Flu Vaccinations

The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated every year.

NC State Faculty and Staff have several available options to receive their annual flu shot.

Campus Health

Flu vaccinations are available for students, faculty and staff on campus via appointments throughout the semester. All information, including how to schedule and insurance plans accepted, is available on the Campus Health Flu Vaccinations web page.

Walk-In Flu Clinics

There is no appointment necessary to get a flu vaccine at a walk-in flu clinic location.

You will need to upload a copy of your insurance card to the HealthyPack Portal prior to your arrival at the clinic using the Insurance tab at the top of your HealthyPack Portal. If you have not done so before your appointment, you will be asked to do it at or after your appointment.

In-Network Doctor’s Office

You can either make an appointment for a flu shot or go during a doctor’s scheduled flu shot clinic. If you go to your doctor’s office and get the flu shot from a nurse, there won’t be a fee. But, if the doctor gives you the flu shot or if you get other medical care in the same visit, you may have to pay (e.g., copay, coinsurance or deductible). If you visit an out-of network doctor, you will pay a fee for the flu vaccine.

Search in-network providers

To search for in-network immunizing pharmacists, visit www.shpnc.org, click on “Find a doctor” at the top of the page and enter your ZIP code. Type “Pharmacist” into the search box and under Specialties, select “Pharmacist (Flu & Other Limited Injections) – Convenience Care (Facilities).” You also may contact Customer Service at 888-234-2416 to find out which North Carolina pharmacies in your area have an immunizing pharmacist.

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Influenza is a highly contagious illness that affects people on college campuses across the country every flu season, which occurs in the fall and winter of each year. We advise our employees to recognize the symptoms of flu and follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation to stay home if they have the flu or suspect they have it, to avoid spreading the illness to students and co-workers.

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death. The CDC says the best way to prevent the flu is by getting the flu vaccine every flu season.

People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms, which usually start suddenly, not gradually:

  • Fever or feeling feverish and having chills (not everyone with the flu will have a fever)
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny/stuffy nose
  • Muscle/body aches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue (feeling tired)
  • Vomiting or diarrhea (common in children)

People with the flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins. Some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and five to seven days after becoming sick.

If You Are Sick or Have the Flu

We recommend that you do not report to work if you are sick or have the flu (or think you might have the flu). The CDC recommends that employees who have a fever and respiratory symptoms stay at home until 24 hours after their fever ends (fever = thermometer reading of 100 degrees Fahrenheit [37.8 degrees Celsius] or higher), without the use of medication to lower the fever. Employees should not come to work with a fever. Not everyone who has the flu will have a fever. You may use sick leave to stay home if you need to.

Supervisors/Managers

Please encourage employees displaying symptoms of the flu to remain at home. Employees should not report to work until 24 hours after their fever ends. Employees may also need to take time off to care for family members who have the flu.

  • The best way to protect yourself against the flu is by getting vaccinated. The vaccination takes approximately 10-14 days to become effective, but late-season vaccinations can still help protect you against the flu.
  • The easiest way to get the flu is to touch your mouth with your hands. If your hands have come into contact with the flu virus, touching your mouth will introduce the virus into your body. To help prevent infection, wash your hands frequently and after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing or coming into contact with contaminated surfaces. To wash your hands effectively, apply soap and water to your hands, rub soapy hands together for at least 20 seconds, rinse your hands with water and dry them completely.
  • If soap and water are not available, use of an alcohol-based hand rub is a helpful interim measure until you can wash your hands. When using an alcohol-based hand rub, apply liquid to your palms, cover all surfaces of the hands with the liquid, and rub your hands together until they are dry.