Get your free flu shot at the Health Center. No appointment needed.
Here are some common misconceptions about the flu:
- Young adults are not vulnerable. False! While people 65 and older are more susceptible, every age is vulnerable.
- You can get the flu from the flu vaccine. False! The most common side effects are a sore arm and perhaps some swelling.
- You only need to get it once in your life. False! The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine.
Getting vaccinated yourself protects the people around you!
Minimizing your chances of contracting influenza this year is one of the most important steps you can take to stay healthy and help prevent our community’s COVID-19 medical resources from becoming depleted.
Students, getting your flu shots has never been more important.
SMU is providing students with on-campus flu vaccinations for free while supplies last. The flu shot tents offered through September and October are no longer available. After receiving our next allotment of the vaccine, plans are to offer flu shots outside of the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center.
Check back and watch your email for the most up-to-date information about on-campus vaccine availability.
Free flu shots are also available at Walgreens, Kroger, Costco, CVS and CVS-Target pharmacies with your student or family health insurance.
SMU employees may get a flu shot from the same drive-thru Urgent Care tent where COVID-19 testing is available. Expressway Tower on SMU’s East campus is offering free flu shots every weekday. Please schedule an appointment in advance here and remember to bring your SMU ID.
You can avoid a consultation to receive a flu shot by typing in “flu shot” under the field titled: “Reason for visit.”
While vaccinations are mostly administered from the comfort of your own vehicle, inclement weather may slightly alter this procedure.
Free shots are also available with SMU insurance at Walgreens, Kroger, Costco, CVS and CVS-Target pharmacies.
Important reminders:
·Safety: Individuals are required to wear a mask. Please practice physical distancing while waiting your turn in line.
·Identification: Students, faculty, staff, and retirees should bring their SMU ID.
·Attire: Wear clothing that allows easy access to the upper arm. Short sleeves are preferred.
·Regular dose flu vaccine only; high dose is not provided
If a student has an emergency:
- Call 911 or go to a hospital.
- Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital: 214-345-6789; Emergency 214-345-7886
- Baylor University Medical Center: 214-820-0111; Emergency 214-820-2501
- Those with chronic health conditions, such as asthma, or those who experience complications should call the Health Center at 214-768-2141
Symptoms:
- High Fever (101-104)
- Chills and Body Aches
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
To avoid catching the flu:
- Get a flu shot. They are our best prevention and they are available for students on campus.
- Avoid fatigue and get plenty of rest to keep your immune system working at its best.
- Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer frequently, especially after touching common surfaces (door handles, railings, etc.). Consider carrying hand sanitizer with you.
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze with either a disposable tissue or your sleeve.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you become sick, stay home. Do not infect others.
- Seek medical care if you have acute symptoms such as body aches, cough and/or a fever of more than 100.5.
What you need to know and do:
- If you have flu or flu-like symptoms, stay home and have only limited contact with others who are not sick. Persons exhibiting flu-like symptoms should not return to class or work until they no longer have fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- Monitor your health by checking fever and other flu symptoms. Symptoms of flu usually include fever with cough or sore throat, and sometimes runny nose, body aches, headache, vomiting or diarrhea.
- Recognize whether a student, roommate, staff or faculty member is at high risk for severe illness from flu. People at higher risk for flu complications include pregnant women, persons who have chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, cancer or heart disease) and people age 65 years and older.
- Students, faculty, staff, or retirees who have the flu or flu-like symptoms should consult a healthcare provider.
- Students with the flu should e-mail their professors as soon as possible and let them know they have the flu.
- If you get worse after being on the medication for three or four days, go back to the Health Center or to a physician to have your lungs rechecked to make sure you have not developed a secondary infection.
If students need assistance after hours:
- Visit a local clinic:
- QuestCare, 3414 Milton in Snider Plaza, is open Mondays-Fridays from 8a.m. to 8p.m., Saturdays-Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 214-989-3905.
- PrimaCare, 6350 E. Mockingbird Lane, is open Mondays-Fridays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call 214-828-0448.
- QuestCare, 3414 Milton in Snider Plaza, is open Mondays-Fridays from 8a.m. to 8p.m., Saturdays-Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 214-989-3905.
- See a private physician.
- Faculty and staff are urged to contact their healthcare providers.
To order meals for pickup by a friend:
Resident students who have flu-like symptoms may order meals by phone from Arnold Dining Commons or Lee and have a friend pick up the meals from the location. Students may order food off the menu of the day, including soup. Students should provide their name and ID number when calling. The meals will be deducted from their meal plan. To order a meal, students may call Arnold (214-768-2377 or 214-768-2344) or Lee (214-768-3922).