Rowan University’s Wellness Center has provided access to students to get their flu shot for free. 

The Wellness Center has provided these vaccination clinics in September at Family Weekend. The university has been involved in getting more clinics around the campus. 

The Wellness Center held its largest Flu Clinic on Oct. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Recreation Center Gym. This clinic is not only for Rowan Students but for the Glassboro community. 

Melissa Shockey is a staff nurse at the Wellness Center. 

“We offer multiple clinics in multiple locations across the campus, where the students spend a lot of time to make it easier for them to just drop in and get a flu shot,” said Shockey.

Some of the places selected for vaccination sites are Holly Pointe and the Student Center. Students can also go to the Wellness Center and schedule an appointment.

In order to get the flu shot, Rowan students have to preregister at the Gloucester County Health Department. Students should bring their insurance cards and wear clothes that make it easier for the nurses to access their upper shoulder for the shot. 

Scott Woodside is the assistant vice president for Community Health and Well-Being. 

“If you are sick or had a fever in the past 24 hours, you should wait to get vaccinated. If you have an allergy to the vaccine, you should get the shot from your primary care doctor,” said Woodside.  

Every year a new strain of the flu arises from the last flu season. This means students should consider getting the flu vaccine due to the strains being different each year. The goal for getting the flu vaccine each year is to lessen symptoms and not get severely ill during flu season. The goal of mass vaccination is to keep the community and students away from the hospital, as well as to keep everyone healthy.

“What is important to know about the vaccine is that even if it does not prevent illness 100% of the time, it does lessen the symptoms for individuals who may contract influenza,” said Woodside. 

Due to the Wellness Center providing them at with no charge, students do not have to worry about paying out of pocket. Receiving the flu vaccine helps others who are sensitive to the flu, the immunocompromised, and those who are at higher risk for serious complications from the flu.

Robin Varela is a nurse practitioner in the Wellness Center. 

“If you are in the Business Hall or come mostly to the Student Center, you can pick a day and get that vaccine where it’s most convenient to you. And we help to prevent an outbreak on campus,” said Varela. 

The Rowan University Wellness Center is doing the Flu Clinics until Nov. 11. Students can find the Flu Information on the Wellness Center website.