Flu vaccination clinics scheduled, appointments required

The GVSU Family Health Center, operated by the Kirkhof College of Nursing, will staff multiple flu vaccination clinics for the campus community beginning October 1 and will take appointments to fill slots. 

Tamara Van Kampen, practice manager for the GVSU Family Health Center, said participants will be required to make an appointment electronically to accommodate social distancing guidelines and room capacities. Masks are required to be worn during the appointment. 

Van Kampen getting a flu shot is extremely important this year, as it can reduce flu severity and help prevent hospitalizations, an important factor during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"Getting a flu shot will not only help protect individuals and those around them from the flu, but will also help reduce the strain on health care systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Van Kampen said.

There is no charge for the flu vaccine for Grand Valley retirees, benefit-eligible faculty and staff members and their dependents. Non-benefit eligible faculty and staff, and students can have their insurance billed for the cost of the vaccine, or use credit/debit or student account billing at any clinic. More information is available online. 

Students, faculty and staff members can get flu vaccinations at the GVSU Family Health Center, 72 Sheldon Blvd. SE, during clinic hours without an appointment. 

Dates, locations and times for flu vaccination clinics are detailed below for the Allendale and Pew Grand Rapids campuses:

Allendale Campus:

October 2: Kirkhof Center during Health and Wellness Fair, either in the outside tent or KC rooms 2266, 2270: noon-2 p.m.

October 8: Fieldhouse, arena lobby: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

October 15: Kirkhof Center rooms 2266, 2270: 5-7 p.m.

October 19: Kirkhof Center rooms 2266, 2270: 11a.m.-1 p.m.

October 27: Holton-Hooker Living Center, room 107: 3-6 p.m.

Grand Rapids/Pew Grand Rapids Campus:

October 1: GVSU Family Health Center, 72 Sheldon Blvd. SE: 5-7 p.m.

October 6: DeVos Center, room 125C: 4-6 p.m.

Health Campus:

October 12: Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, rooms 211, 233: 1-3 p.m.

October 22: Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, rooms 230, 243: 9-11 a.m.

Grand Valley is again participating in a national flu vaccination challenge. The Alana Yaksich National College/University Flu Vaccination Challenge was created in 2014 as a way to increase participation rates among college students. Anyone associated with Grand Valley who receives a flu vaccination can submit a short survey.