The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people receive vaccinations against the flu soon after the vaccine becomes available.   

Stamps Health Services will be offer free flu shots for all Georgia Tech students who have paid their health fee. Flu shots will also be available to students whpo have not paid their health fee, faculty, and staff for $25. 

Influenza or “the flu” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It is a serious threat to public health and can cause mild to severe illness, and, at times, can lead to death. 

Vaccines for the 2015-16 influenza season are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of influenza in children, adolescents, and adults, including the elderly. Though there are several vaccines approved by the FDA in both nasal spray and injectable forms, Stamps Health Services only administers the injectable flu vaccine. This vaccine being administered at Stamps this season is a quadrivalent vaccine, meaning it includes four strains. 

Those who received vaccines last year are encouraged to be vaccinated again. The body’s level of immunity from a vaccine received last season is expected to have declined, and immunity levels against the four strains that research indicates are likely to circulate this season. 

Flu clinics will take place on Sept. 29, Oct. 6, Oct. 20, Nov. 10, and Nov. 17. Students, faculty, and staff may attend any clinic to receive their vaccine, or they can call 404-894-1420 or visit the Stamps website to make an appointment. Students can also ask to receive a flu shot during any regular appointment at Stamps Health Services.

Payment is accepted via credit card or BuzzCard, and all students and employees should plan to present their BuzzCard when checking in to receive their shot.

More information about the 2015-16 Influenza Vaccine can be found at www.c.gatech.edu/cdc-flu-2015.