The NMU Vielmetti Health Center is hosting a walk-in campus flu shot clinic, with the first one being Tuesday, Oct. 13 from noon through 4 p.m. inside the Northern Center ballrooms. Students will enter by the bookstore doors, head up the stairs and someone will direct them to the correct ballroom, similar to Passport and surveillance testing. Students are strongly encouraged to take part and get their flu shot this year. 

Additionally, students are able to charge the flu shot to their student account, according to the Health Center. Students, faculty and staff should not attend if they are experiencing symptoms. Before attending, a flu shot consent form must be printed off and filled out as well. If someone is unable to fill out the form prior to coming, some will be available at the ballrooms.

There will be three separate flu clinic events, beginning tomorrow, Oct. 13 from noon to 4 p.m. The second will take place two weeks later on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The final flu clinic will occur on Tuesday, Nov. 10, which similarly is from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Most people that are young and in good health will take the regularly administered flu vaccine well and that will be enough for them. However, according to the Health Center in their announcement email sent out on Oct. 8, those who are over the age of 65 should seek out a higher dose of the flu vaccine. The higher dose can be found at local pharmacies, such as Walgreens, Target’s CVS pharmacy and Peninsula Pharmacy Plus. 

Getting a flu shot could not be more critical this year. With COVID-19 still causing a global pandemic, it could further complicate one’s health if they were to catch both at the same time. According to the Health Center flu page, symptoms of the flu include but are not limited to: “high fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, body ache, fatigue, runny nose, and occasional intestinal complaints.”

If someone is unable to make any of these times, they can call the Health Center at (906) 227-2355 for more options.