UA Offering Free Flu Shots To Students, Faculty And Staff

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama's annual flu shot campaign is underway, with free vaccinations available to students, faculty and staff at locations across campus through mid-November.

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The campaign is in its 15th year, is led by UA's College of Community Health Sciences and includes pop-up vaccination clinics near the Quad, University buildings and student residence halls.

Students and employees do not need health insurance to receive a free vaccination at the campus clinics.

"Getting vaccinated lowers your chance of getting seriously ill, being hospitalized or spreading flu to people around you," said Dr. Tom Weida, chief medical officer for University Medical Center and a family medicine physician. "It is best to get the flu vaccine before flu is widely spreading in the community, ideally by the end of October. If you miss that timing, vaccination later in the season can still provide meaningful protection."

Students can also receive free flu shots at the UA Student Health Center and Pharmacy, while employees can receive vaccinations at the Faculty-Staff Clinic at University Medical Center.

Vaccinations are available to retired UA faculty and staff, and their spouses, along with spouses and dependents of University employees.

Children of employees covered by UA health insurance can receive flu vaccinations at University Medical Center. Children covered by non-UA health insurance can also receive vaccinations there if their insurance covers nurse practitioner services.

Spouses of UA employees can receive free vaccinations at campus flu shot locations or University Medical Center.

"This year's flu vaccine is updated to help protect against the influenza viruses expected to be most common during the 2026-27 flu season," Weida said. "Everyone 6 months of age and older should receive a flu vaccine each year unless they have a specific medical reason not to."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older.

Experts say vaccination is particularly important for people at greater risk of serious complications, including young children, adults 65 and older, pregnant people and those with certain chronic health conditions.

College students living in residence halls and other close quarters can also benefit from vaccination because influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.

Flu symptoms can range from mild to severe and commonly include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue. In more serious cases, influenza can result in hospitalization or death.

Weida said flu vaccines cannot cause influenza, though recipients can experience short-term side effects such as soreness, a low-grade fever or fatigue.

People with egg allergies can receive any flu vaccine appropriate for their age and health status, according to UA. Flu vaccines can also often be administered during the same visit as other recommended vaccinations, including COVID-19 vaccines.

Nurses from University Medical Center and the UA Student Health Center and Pharmacy will administer vaccinations during the campaign, along with nursing students from UA's Capstone College of Nursing. WellBAMA is also partnering with the campaign.

Dates, times and locations for upcoming campus flu shot clinics are available through the College of Community Health Sciences' Flu Shot Campaign website.

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