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Flu (influenza) Vaccination

Why get vaccinated:

With COVID-19 circulating, it is especially important to engage in behaviors to optimize good health and that includes receiving an influenza vaccination each fall and uploading the record to OWL (students). Respiratory illnesses spread quickly in the close living and learning environment of a college campus and community living arrangements in residence halls. Vaccination helps reduce flu outbreaks.

Where to get vaccinated: 

Off-Campus: Locate a flu vaccination off-campus – click HERE

Walking distance from TCNJ is Robbins Pharmacy. They offer walk-ins, and no appointment is needed for Flu vaccinations. Please visit their website for more information.

On-Campus:  
  • Students can schedule an appointment with Student Health Services through OWL, our Online Wellness Link.  
  • Fall 2024 Flu Vaccination Clinics for Students, Staff, Faculty & Sodexo
    • TBD

*If you tested positive for COVID-19 recently, postpone your flu vaccination for at least 10 full days from the date that you tested positive. 

Key Facts About Seasonal Influenza Vaccine:

  • Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination.
  • These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are used to make the vaccine.
  • Flu vaccine effectiveness can vary. The protection provided by a flu vaccine varies from season to season and depends in part on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine and the similarity or “match” between the viruses in the vaccine and those in circulation.
  • A flu vaccine is needed every season for two reasons. First, a person’s immune protection from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection. Second, because flu viruses are constantly changing, flu vaccines may be updated from one season to the next to protect against the viruses that research suggests may be most common during the upcoming flu season.
  • Vaccination remains especially important for those with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, cardiac disease, immunosuppression, or neurologic and neurodevelopmental disorders. These individuals are at higher risk of serious complications if they get influenza. 
  • For the best protection, everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated annually. More facts about the seasonal flu vaccine are available from the CDC.

The Difference Between Influenza (Flu) And COVID-19:

  • Flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses.
  • COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) and seasonal flu (most often just called “flu”) is caused by infection with one of many influenza viruses that spread annually among people.
  • Because some symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, people may need to be tested to tell what virus is causing their illness.
  • People can be infected with both the flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 at the same time.
  • COVID-19 vaccination/infection provides NO protection against influenza viruses.
  • This FAQ page compares COVID-19 and flu, given the best available information to date. 

 

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