Between midterms, practices and long nights in Case, it’s easy to forget about your health until you’re already under the weather. By taking a few minutes now to get your flu shot and COVID-19 booster, you can help protect yourself – and the people around you – from seasonal illness all semester long.
Why Vaccination Matters
No one wants to sit out on classes during midterms or skip out on time with friends because of a preventable illness. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines reduce your risk of getting sick and help cut down on the wide-reaching spread of these viruses around campus. Whether you are a first-year student or senior, you have probably noticed just how quickly a stomach bug or cold can ravage Colgate's campus. Think of getting your fall vaccines as a way of looking out not only for yourself but also for your roommates, teammates, professors and everyone else who makes up daily life at Colgate. What is only a "small cough" for you might be a devastating illness – or at the very least a devastating inconvenience – for a peer on campus.
What to Expect from This Year’s Fall Vaccines
Flu shot: Recommended every season for anyone 6 months and older. It is advised by the CDC that you be vaccinated before the end of October.
COVID-19 booster: Recommended if you haven’t received a vaccination dose during 2024 or 2025, according to the CDC. Booster protection decreases over time, so receiving an updated booster will fortify your immune system against COVID-19.
Both vaccines come in varieties that accommodate medical needs, and both have been updated to combat the strains most likely to circulate this fall and winter. Luckily, Colgate is running a vaccination clinic for both shots, giving you the best possible protection heading into the colder months!
On-Campus Vaccination Clinics
To make the process easiest for students, Colgate has partnered with Student Health Services and Dougherty’s Pharmacy to host an on-campus vaccination clinic for students, faculty and staff:
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 at the Coop (O’Connor Campus Center) → Register
Please note that scheduling an appointment ahead of time is preferred for insurance purposes, but walk-ins are also welcome. You should arrive wearing a short-sleeved shirt and with your insurance information. More information is available from the Communications Office.
Take Care of Yourself and Each Other
Getting vaccinated is a quick, easy way to stay on top of your health and keep our campus strong during the fall and winter months. While we can't control having to trek through snow, we can certainly control whether we want to be trekking while sick! Whether you stop by the Merrill House clinic or the Coop, or head to a local pharmacy, making time for fall vaccines is an important step in looking out for your own health and Colgate's.
For questions, please reach out to Student Health Services or the Shaw Wellness Institute.
Photo Credit: CDC at Unsplash