Free vaccine, booster, flu shot clinic is today; drop-ins welcomed

Working with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, the university is offering an on-campus vaccine clinic — featuring COVID-19 vaccination (from first injection to boosters) and flu shots — on Feb. 9.

The clinics are open to students, faculty, staff and the public. All vaccines — including the flu shot, which is being offered by the University Health Center — are available at no cost. The on-campus clinics will operate from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Nebraska Union Ballroom, and 3 to 5 p.m. in the East Union’s Great Plains Room.

Appointments can be made online. Drop-in vaccinations are welcomed and encouraged.

All Huskers who have received a COVID-19 booster get a pass on quarantine if they are exposed to the virus. That means students, faculty and staff can still attend class in person (while wearing a face covering, of course) and continue working.

Being boosted also offers protections against severe COVID-19 illness symptoms. Data from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services showed that individuals who received the booster are 46 times less likely to be hospitalized compared to those not fully vaccinated.

Huskers who cannot attend the Feb. 9 clinic can find a vaccine location at vaccines.gov or text their zip code to 438829.

All members of the campus community are encouraged to submit vaccination and booster status to the university’s voluntary vaccine registry. The registry is used to gauge the level of protection in the campus community and helps university leaders prepare for necessary COVID-19 responses.