Berkeley is holding free flu vaccination pop-up clinics, and in collaboration with UC Berkeley, some will take place on the UC Berkeley campus.
There is a free clinic today at University Village from 3-6 p.m. and Oct. 28 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Union Building from noon to 4 p.m. The free clinics offer flu vaccination for UC Berkeley students with and without campus’ Student Health Insurance Plan, or SHIP, enrollment.
“For the partnership with the City of Berkeley, this is the very first time we have partnered with them to offer flu vaccines side-by-side,” said Emily Moore, nurse manager of travel and immunizations at University Health Services, or UHS, in an email.
Beyond campus, the city is holding free flu vaccine pop-up clinics on Oct. 21, 23, 25, 27, 28 and 29 at various locations and times throughout the city, viewable on Berkeley’s website under Community and Recreation events.
Clinics offered by the city do not require appointment, health insurance or ID to receive the flu vaccine.
At the Berkeley Immunization Clinic on Sixth St., flu vaccinations are offered Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Thursday is open to walk-ins from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m., but Tuesday and Wednesday are by appointment only. No ID or health insurance is required.
“We don’t set up any barriers that may distract or deter anyone from getting a flu shot,” said Seung Lee, public information officer for the city. “That’s just how much we are committed to making sure that people do this very basic but life saving tool to protect not only yourself, but also your community.”
Alongside the pop-ups, students can go to the University Health Services Tang Center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon or 1-4 p.m. No appointments are needed.
For students with SHIP, flu vaccines are covered and for students without SHIP, the cost is $57, which can be reimbursed through insurance. All students will be asked for their Cal 1 Card, according to Tami Cate, communications manager at UHS.
Clinics are also offered on Nov. 4 and 18 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Bank of America Pavilion at Haas. However, these clinics are not in partnership with the city and are not free for students without SHIP, according to Cate.
According to Lee, funding for the vaccination program is not impacted by the federal government shutdown. Flu shots will remain available year-round in the city by the Public Health Division, staffed by a full-time staff and occasionally volunteers.
“(At) the beginning of the spring semester, (we’ll) have some more flu shot clinics available, and do some both at the Tang center and on campus and hopefully in partnership with the city of Berkeley,” Cate said.