Fighting the Flu

With flu season around the corner and COVID-19 still prevalent, Baylor University continues the work to keep students, faculty, staff and the Waco community healthy. To fight the flu on Baylor’s campus, this year’s flu shot is available at no cost to the Baylor community.

“The main reason to encourage flu shots is because COVID-19 is likely to still be prevalent during flu season, and their symptoms are similar. This can lead to a lot of confusion and more problems obtaining the correct diagnosis and treatment. If more people get the flu shot, there will be less flu and less confusion. There is also concern that if there is a heavy flu season amidst COVID-19, the hospitals will truly be overwhelmed,” Dr. Sharon Stern, medical director of Baylor University’s Health Center, said.

The CDC recommends everyone six months of age and older get vaccinated every flu season, which is usually between October and May. According to the CDC website, a new flu vaccine is made each year to protect against three of four viruses that are likely to cause illness in the upcoming flu season. The vaccine does not cause flu but can prevent it and reduce the severity of the illness after exposure.

Free flu vaccines will be available to all students, faculty staff at various locations on the following days:

Thursday, October 1, all day
Baylor Sciences Building, Room E201 (Clock Tower)
Online registration is required to reserve a time slot.

Tuesday, October 6, all day
Baylor Sciences Building, Room E201 (Clock Tower)
Online registration is required to reserve a time slot.

Tuesday, October 13, 9-11 a.m.
Paul L. Foster Success Center, First Floor Tutoring Center
No pre-registration required. Walk-ins accepted.

Tuesday, October 20, 2-4 p.m.
McLane Student Life Center, First Floor
No pre-registration required. Walk-ins accepted.

Tuesday, October 27, 9-11 a.m.
Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation, Atrium
No pre-registration required. Walk-ins accepted.

Faculty and Staff will be required to provide proof of insurance. Students with insurance should provide insurance billing information. Students without insurance may leave that section blank and will not incur a cost for a flu shot.

Signs and Symptoms of the Flu include:

• Sudden high fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Sudden onset of body aches
• Headache
• Sudden fatigue

Students who experience flu-like symptoms may make an appointment with the Health Center by calling (254) 710-1010 or visiting healthcenter.baylor.edu.