Columbia University Health Services

Looking to prevent the flu this year? Public health experts recommend getting an annual flu shot to reduce the chance of getting the flu.

This is especially important with the new H1N1 virus. While the seasonal flu shot will not protect against the H1N1 flu, it will help to protect against other strains of the flu expected to circulate this season.

Flu Shots @ Health Services

Last year, Health Services vaccinated more than 3,000 members of the Columbia community. You may schedule an appointment at Primary Care Medical Services , if you have not already received the seasonal flu shot.  

About the Seasonal Flu Shot

Generally, anyone who wants to reduce their chance of getting the seasonal flu can get vaccinated. There are some people who are at a higher risk of complications from the flu, and it is strongly encouraged that they receive an annual vaccine:

• People with chronic health problems, such as heart disease, lung disease, asthma, kidney disease or diabetes
• Women who will be pregnant during flu season
• Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
• Household contact and caretakers of children below the age of 5
• People with a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS; long-term steroid treatments or cancer
• Healthcare workers
• Anyone over the age of 50

Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more information about the seasonal flu shot.

The CDC reports that a separate vaccine for the swine Influenza A (H1N1) virus could be widely available later this fall. As soon as we have more information outlining the distribution for the H1N1 vaccine, we will immediately share that information with the Columbia community.

As an alternative, if you are concerned about the H1N1 flu and identify with one or more of the following priority groups, we recommend you consider getting a free H1N1 vaccine at one of the Department of Health's clinics listed below. The DOH has now made the vaccine available for:

• those under 24 years old
• anyone who is pregnant
• anyone in close contact with newborns
• people age 25 to 64 with a medical condition at risk for flu complications* 
   

*These conditions include asthma, diabetes, chronic heart and lung conditions, kidney failure, or a weakened immune system. (It is not necessary to bring a physician note documenting a chronic health condition or a prescription for the vaccine.)

These clinics will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays:

Dates: November 21 - November 22
Location: P.S. 92 Mary McLeod Bethune, 222 West 134th St

Dates: December 5 - December 6
Location: NYC Lab Middle School for Collaborative Studies, 333 West 17th Street

Dates: December 12 - December 13
Location: George Washington High School, 549 Audubon Avenue

For other clinics in your area or for more information about the H1N1 health clinics, please visit the New York City Department of Health's flu website.

Please visit the Columbia Preparedness website for more information about the University's plans and preparation for the H1N1 outbreak.