Protect yourself and others with flu and COVID-19 vaccines

16 Sep 2022

From: Hokie Wellness

Fall is the time when respiratory illnesses, like flu, begin to spread. In addition, the best defense against COVID-19 is to be vaccinated and receive boosters. That’s why Virginia Tech encourages all members of our community to get a flu vaccination and their COVID vaccination and boosters.

Hokie Wellness will offer flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics this fall. All employees, undergraduates, and graduate students are able to attend the clinics. Family members and dependents covered under an employee’s Virginia Tech health plan may also attend the clinics. Employees may get vaccinated during work hours; please work with your supervisor with regard to scheduling questions.

Vaccination clinics begin Oct. 3 and run through Oct. 31. Registration is required for each person who will attend a clinic. The registration link contains location information and consent forms that will need to be completed before receiving vaccines. Please be aware of the following:

Injectable flu vaccines will be available.
COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters (Pfizer only) will be offered.
- Employees will be able to start or continue a vaccination series or get a first or second booster.
- Employees can get third booster; those 64 or older or with underlying medical issues can get fourth booster.
- The pediatric dose for children ages 6 – 11 years old will be available.
- Remember to bring your COVID-19 vaccination card to the clinic so that updated information can be added.
Individuals who feel sick, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should not attend the clinic.

Clinic details

Clinics start Oct. 3 and run through Oct. 31.
Clinic times are 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. See the schedule for the Blacksburg and Roanoke campus below. Information about Washington, D.C., Metro Area clinics will be shared with those employees and students directly.
All attendees will need to register for clinics.
A drive-through clinic will be held Saturday, Oct. 8, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., outside the North End Center in the driveway. Registration is required for the drive thru clinic too and can be done through the registration link.

NOTE: A student flu clinic will be hosted by Schiffert Health Center on Oct. 5, in the Rec Sports Fieldhouse, 510 Beamer Way, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students are also able to receive COVID vaccinations and boosters through Schiffert.

Vaccination clinic dates and times

Blacksburg Campus:

Steger Hall - Foyer of conference center, all clinics 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Oct. 17, Oct. 31
North End Center, all clinics 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Oct. 11 - Room 2440
- Oct. 13, Oct. 18, Oct. 25, Oct. 27 - Room 2410

Roanoke Campus:

HS&T campus VTCSOM - Oct. 12 - classroom M106, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

NOTE: Information about Washington, D.C., Metro Area clinics will be shared with those employees and students directly.

Eligibility

Salaried, benefitted faculty and staff who are covered by state health insurance plans must show their insurance card to receive free vaccines.
Non-student wage employees may receive free vaccines at the clinics by showing their Hokie Passport.
Salaried or part-time faculty and staff who are not covered by state health insurance plans may receive vaccines at the clinics; however, they should be prepared to pay for the flu vaccine by cash or check. COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are free, but please be ready to show your Hokie Passport.
Family members and dependents covered under an employee’s health plan are able to receive vaccines. All family members and dependents need to be registered to attend.
Undergraduate and graduate students must show an insurance card or be prepared to pay cash for the flu vaccine at the Hokie Wellness clinics. COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are free.

Other ways to get a flu vaccine and COVID vaccine or booster

If you are unable to make it to a Hokie Wellness clinic, vaccinations are also available at most local pharmacies and through health care providers.

For COVID vaccines or boosters, visit Vaccinate Virginia for vaccination sites in the commonwealth.

State health plan members may get a free flu vaccine at pharmacies participating in their health plan’s network.

COVA Care, COVA HDHP, and COVA HealthAware members also may receive flu shots at no cost from network physicians’ offices and other participating providers.
Kaiser Permanente HMO members must go to a participating Kaiser medical center.

Contact your health plan provider if you have questions about your benefits or for information on receiving flu vaccines from non-network providers or pharmacies. If you plan to get your flu vaccine at a pharmacy, be sure to call ahead to confirm the pharmacy is participating in the program and that shots are available. An appointment may be required.

For questions

About Hokie Wellness clinics, contact Hokie Wellness at hokiewellness@vt.edu or 540-231-8878.
About flu vaccines and your medical plan, contact your plan provider.
From students, contact Schiffert Health Center at health@vt.edu or 540-231-6444.
Visit Virginia Tech’s Public Health Information site for information about common communicable illnesses such as the flu, COVID-19, and more.