It's worth a shot to stay healthy!

The 2022 Flu shot clinics have concluded, but it is still not too late to get your flu shot this season if you haven't already received it. 

To prevent the spread of influenza, the CDC also recommends the following strategies:

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• If you are sick with a flu-like illness, seek medical evaluation early.  Anti-viral medications can help reduce the severity of illness for many patients with influenza if started early enough.
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu. 

The CDC is recommending flu shots for all persons over 6 months of age.  Flu shots are particularly important for individuals with asthma, diabetes, heart disease, chronic illnesses which weaken the immune system, persons over age 65 and for those who care for susceptible children or the elderly. In short, all Emory students should get a flu shot this year!

For answers to frequently asked questions about influenza, flu shots and the vaccine, visit the CDC flu website at www.cdc.gov/flu.  For more information about influenza vaccinations and prevention, please visit the Student Health and Counseling Service website. 

Once again this year, it’s worth a shot to stay healthy and prevent the flu! 

Yours in health,

Sharon Rabinovitz, MD
Interim Executive Director
Emory University Student Health Services

The EUSHS Travel Clinic provides consultation and vaccinations for students preparing for international travel. International travel consultations, including immunizations, travel prescriptions and country specific information, are available Monday - Friday by appointment only. Appointments should be scheduled at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to travel if feasible. To make a travel appointment, please schedule through the student patient portal or call 404.727.7551.

International SOS:

Did you know that Emory University contracts with International SOS (ISOS)?  This service is a resource to provide security and medical evacuation services, and a variety of online health, safety, and security resources for the university community traveling abroad on university business or sponsored activities only.  ISOS is not health insurance.  Before you travel, you should determine how your own health insurance applies to international care. Learn more information about the Emory University sponsored ISOS.

Travel Clinic and Related Costs:

If you are traveling abroad as a part of your Emory studies or for vacation, there may be important vaccinations and medications that are necessary to keep you safe. Unfortunately, many insurance plans do not cover Travel Clinic visits, vaccinations, or tests. The Emory University Student Insurance Plan (EUSHIP) does cover these charges 100% when performed at EUSHS. Before scheduling an EUSHS Travel Clinic visit, it is important to check with your insurance carrier to ascertain your level of coverage and your potential out-of-pocket expenses, including co-pays, and annual deductibles. There may be other clinical provider sites nearby where you can receive more complete coverage if you do not carry the EUSHIP Plan. EUSHS Travel Clinic visits, vaccinations, and tests are priced to be consistent with Emory Healthcare pricing.

The CDC creates a frequently updated Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) for each of the vaccines marketed in the United States. These VIS documents review the disease, who should get the vaccine, who should not get the vaccine or should delay, potential side effects and severe reactions, and how to get more information.

The CDC regularly updates these statements and is the best resource to find out about the vaccine you are interested in getting or have received.

To see the VIS for the most common vaccines offered at EUSHS, use the link below to access the webpage at the CDC, then search for the vaccine you are interested in knowing more information about.

Click here: CDC VIS information link

Insurance does not pay for everything, not even for some of the care that you and/or your healthcare provider have good reason to think that you need. Insurance plans vary in their coverage of vaccines and blood tests. The Emory University Student Insurance Plan (EUSHIP), however, does cover vaccines and many blood tests at 100% when performed at EUSHS. 

If you have a different insurance than the EUSHIP, ask about costs before receiving vaccines, blood antibody tests, and tuberculosis screening. You are encouraged to check with your insurance carrier to ascertain your level of coverage and your potential out-of-pocket expenses, including co-pays and annual deductibles.  There may be other clinical provider sites nearby where you can receive more complete coverage if you do not carry the Emory University Student Health Insurance Plan. 

EUSHS vaccinations, antibody blood tests, tuberculosis screening, and international travel consultations are priced to be consistent with Emory Healthcare pricing. For more information about Emory immunization requirements, click here.

Please note that some prices may change due to vaccine acquisition costs.