October 17, 2022

Dear Student,

We hope you are having a good semester. As you know, flu season is here. It started early this year. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we strongly recommend that every member of the Emory community get a flu shot and a COVID-19 bivalent booster before the end of October, even better before Halloween, or sooner if possible. Remember, the holidays bring more social interaction and potentially greater exposure to the virus.

As of October 8, Georgia has one of the highest rates of flu in the country. Healthcare experts are anticipating more – and possibly more severe – cases of flu this year because people do not have immunity from the previous two years. In addition, COVID-19 is still circulating in the community. Like previous years, we anticipate an increase of cases in the late fall and winter months.

Flu shots are currently available for students at Student Health Services (SHS). If SHS is not convenient, students may receive their flu vaccine through their primary healthcare provider, a local pharmacy, or other walk-in flu clinics. Most insurance – including EUSHIP (Emory University Student Health Insurance Plan) – will cover the cost of flu shots at 100 percent. To be sure, confirm with your insurance plan.

COVID-19 bivalent boosters are not currently available at SHS at this time. However, local pharmacies (CVS, Publix, Kroger) within walking distance to campus are stocked. Find a COVID-19 vaccination site near you at vaccines.gov.

Help protect yourself, your loved ones, and our community by getting a flu shot and COVID-19 bivalent booster before the holidays. It takes about two weeks for the body to respond to the vaccines and develop immunity.

Thank you for supporting the health and well-being of our university community.

In health,

Sharon Rabinovitz, MD
Executive Director
Emory University Student Health Services

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