Rite Aid will be on campus this Thursday, February 16th from 12-2pm in the Student Center MPR (small side) to give Flu (Influenza) Vaccines.

For your convenience, RiteAid will also be providing the Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis/Whooping Cough) vaccination as well as the Pneumonia Vaccine. Please bring your medical insurance card including your pharmacy benefit information with you.  Rite Aid Pharmacy will bill your insurance for payment. For most plans, the flu vaccine is a covered benefit under preventive health which means at no cost to the subscriber, not even a co-pay.

Influenza (flu) has been confirmed on the Utica campus, earlier than in past years for SUNY Poly. The flu virus is contagious and is spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. People with flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Symptoms start 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. To avoid spreading the flu, people with symptoms of the flu should stay home if sick, avoiding people that have no symptoms. It also is important to wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick should not be shared without washing thoroughly first. If you have not yet received a flu vaccine, please do so as soon as possible, as it takes approximately 2 weeks for protection to begin. The CDC recommends that the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease is obtaining the yearly flu vaccine. Local pharmacies will provide the vaccine, usually covered at no cost by your private medical insurance. The pharmacy will require your medical insurance card. Flu is a contagious respiratory illness and can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: • Fever* or feeling feverish/chills • Cough • Sore throat • Runny or stuffy nose • Muscle or body aches • Headaches • Fatigue (tiredness) • Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. * It's important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever. Everything you need to know about the flu illness, including symptoms, treatment and prevention can be easily found on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. If you reside on campus and exhibiting symptoms of the flu, the most important thing to do is to stay away from others by isolating yourself in your room. Wearing a mask and good hand washing habits is also recommended. Do not attend class or social events. You should return home if possible to avoid spreading the flu until you have no symptoms, including fever for 24 hours. Please contact the Health/Wellness & Counseling Center and schedule an appointment, thus decreasing exposure to others. Please bring your medical insurance card in case laboratory work is indicated. Call (315) 792.7172, office hours are 9 AM to 5 PM, with the last appointment at 4 PM. The Health/Wellness and Counseling Center will keep you posted with information and flu prevention initiatives to assist you with this health concern. Thank you.