Flu Shots Required for UK Students October 8, 2020

Dear Campus Community,

At every step this semester, one principle has guided us in everything that we do: the health, safety and well-being of our campus community.

Today, I am announcing another tool we are utilizing in honoring that principle. Beginning this Sunday, Oct. 11, we will kick off a flu vaccine clinic at the Gatton Student Center.

This year, for the first time, we are requiring all students to receive a flu vaccination. We are strongly encouraging all of our faculty and staff to do so as well.

Students who do not have prescription coverage to cover the cost of the flu vaccination will receive the shot for free. Students who already have received a flu vaccination will simply need to upload a copy of their proof of vaccination.  

To help facilitate this effort, we are partnering with Kroger – as well as our College of Pharmacy and University Health Service – to provide more locations and options for flu shots, including new locations at the President’s Pavilion at Kroger Field (near Gates 9 and 10), The 90 and Gatton Student Center.

You can read all the details about the options and locations, times and dates here. For a quick review, you also can check out the following sites created for flu vaccinations at UK:

• To see a full calendar of locations and times for student flu vaccination clinics, visit go.uky.edu/flushot .  
• To see a full calendar of locations and times for staff and faculty vaccination clinics, visit go.uky.edu/flushot .  
• For more information about how to receive a flu shot, as well as updated flu shot clinic times and locations, visit go.uky.edu/flushot . 
• You also can call our UK Health Corps for information about our flu vaccine initiative: 859-218-SAFE.

Receiving a flu shot is particularly important this year, as we continue to confront the global pandemic of the coronavirus. The World Health Organization estimates that about 1 billion cases of flu are contracted annually, and influenza is one of the top 10 leading causes of death each year among Americans. 

Like our mandatory testing, screening and contact tracing programs, flu vaccinations represent a common-sense and important public health measure – one in which we all can, and should, participate during this challenging time.

As a community, we have done so much together to confront this global pandemic. This step is one more we can take as a community to keep each other healthy and safe.

Thank you.

Eli Capilouto

President