Flu Shots are Especially Important this Year

This year, the flu and COVID-19 will be circulating at the same time; and all students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged to get a flu shot as soon as possible, whether you have returned to a campus or are at home. By acting now, you can reduce your risk from the flu and help avoid overburdening our health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 are similar, and both viruses are contagious. If flu cases are mistaken for COVID-19, it could increase the need for coronavirus testing, putting stress on COVID-19 testing capacity. Click here for information about which pharmacies are covered. (Note: Ohio State covers dependents over age 7, while some pharmacies have lowered their flu shot age; there may be a charge to vaccinate these family members.) To provide more information about the flu shot and how to stop the spread of the flu, the university has prepared a 10-minute online training in BuckeyeLearn. Additional information also is available on the Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website.