Student Health and Wellness Services

Influenza (Flu) Immunizations

Learn why the flu shot is important.

  • Call 909-869-4000 to make appointment for a free flu shot (while supplies last).
  • Students of high risk, as defined below by the CDC, are strongly urged to get vaccinated:
    • all persons aged ≥50 years;
    • adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma) or cardiovascular (except isolated hypertension), renal, hepatic, neurologic, hematologic, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus);
    • persons who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV infection);
    • women who are or will be pregnant during the influenza season;
    • children and adolescents (aged 6 months through 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye's syndrome after influenza virus infection;
    • American Indians/Alaska Natives
    • persons who are morbidly obese (BMI ≥40)

Note: During vaccine shortage conditions, supply is limited to high risk patients only.

Flu FAQ

Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently, but millions of people get the flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands or tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year.

Flu vaccines, made from inactivated flu viruses, cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against flu infection.

Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season. This recommendation has been in place since February 24, 2010 when CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for “universal” flu vaccination in the United States to expand protection against the flu to more people.


Flu vaccination should begin soon after vaccine becomes available, by the end of October, if possible. However, as long as flu viruses are circulating, vaccination can be given throughout the flu season, even in January or later.

People with severe, life-threatening allergies to flu vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine must not get the flu shot. People with a mild to moderate allergy to eggs or any of the ingredients in the vaccine, people with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralyzing illness, also called GBS) or people who are not feeling well, should talk to your medical provider before receiving the influenza vaccine.

A flu vaccine is needed every season for two reasons. First, the body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection. Second, because flu viruses are constantly changing, the formulation of the flu vaine is reviewed each year and sometimes updated to keep up with changing flu viruses. For the best protection, everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated annually.

No. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection.

Yes. There is still a possibility you could get the flu even if you got vaccinated. The ability of flu vaccine to protect a person depends on various factors, including the age and health status of the person being vaccinated, and also the similarity or “match” between the viruses used to make the vaccine and those circulating in the community. If the viruses in the vaccine and the influenza viruses circulating in the community are closely matched, vaccine effectiveness is higher.

  • Flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with flu.
  • Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization, including among children and older adults.
  • Flu vaccination is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions.
  • Vaccination helps protect women during and after pregnancy. Getting vaccinated can also protect a baby after birth from flu. (Mom passes antibodies onto the developing baby during her pregnancy.)
  • Flu vaccination also may make your illness milder if you do get sick.
  • Getting vaccinated yourself also protects people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.

No, a flu vaccine cannot cause flu illness. Flu vaccines that are administered with a needle are currently made in two ways: the vaccine is made either with a) flu vaccine viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ and are therefore not infectious, or b) with no flu vaccine viruses at all (which is the case for recombinant influenza vaccine).

The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that may occur are:

  • Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
  • Fever (low grade)
  • Aches
However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions.

People with egg allergies can receive any licensed, recommended age-appropriate influenza vaccine and no longer have to be monitored for 30 minutes after receiving the vaccine. People who have severe egg allergies should be vaccinated in a medical setting and be supervised by a health care provider who is able to recognize and manage severe allergic conditions.