Fall has rolled around, and so has the beginning of the flu season. 

The annual flu season typically starts in October or November, and experts widely suggest the flu vaccine is the most effective way to reduce your chances of contracting the highly contagious virus.

Executive director of Pitt Student Health Services Charles Guthrie said the most important thing students can do to lower their likelihood of getting the flu is getting their annual flu vaccine.

“While the vaccine cannot prevent every case of influenza, it lowers the risk of getting the flu and, importantly, can reduce the severity of illness and the risk of complications if you do become infected,” Guthrie wrote.

Below is a guide of the closest places to Pitt’s campus where you can get a flu vaccine. 

Student Health Services 

Student Health Services at 119 University Pl., right next to Nordenberg Hall, offers flu vaccines for all students. Students can schedule an appointment directly through the Student Health Services patient portal. 

According to Guthrie, Student Health Services can evaluate and treat students experiencing flu-like symptoms. Students with acute illnesses can call Student Health Services for a same-day appointment if there is availability, Guthrie explained, and antiviral medications can also be prescribed when medically appropriate.

When Student Health Services is closed, students have access to its after-hours nurse advice service for guidance about their symptoms and whether they should seek additional medical care, Guthrie added.

“We encourage students who are sick to stay home while they are ill, practice good hand hygiene, cover coughs and sneezes and avoid close contact with others when possible,” Guthrie said. “We also encourage students who have not yet received their annual flu vaccine to schedule an appointment through the Student Health Services patient portal.”

Pitt Vaccination and Health Connection Hub

Students and community members can receive flu vaccines for free through the Pitt Vaccination and Health Connection Hub, located in Nordenburg Hall at 4041 Fifth Ave. The hub is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It is closed on the weekends. The hub offers scheduled appointments and accepts walk-ins subject to availability. 

CVS Pharmacy

CVS is another option for students looking to receive flu vaccinations. According to the CVS website, flu vaccines are free with most health insurance. The CVS locations closest to Pitt’s campus are 3422 Forbes Ave. in Central Oakland and 4610 Centre Ave. in North Oakland. 

The CVS Pharmacy on Forbes Avenue is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. but closed for lunch from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. The Centre Avenue CVS Pharmacy is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and also closed from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Flu shots can be scheduled on the CVS Website. Walk-ins are accepted but subject to availability.

Walgreens Pharmacy

Walgreens Pharmacy offers free flu vaccinations under most health insurance plans. The closest Walgreens to Pitt’s campus is located at 5956 Centre Ave. on the border of Shadyside and East Liberty. The pharmacy is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and is closed from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch. It is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the same lunch break hours. 

Appointments can be scheduled online, and walk-ins are accepted depending on availability.

UPMC

UPMC offers the flu vaccine at its primary care office and urgent care facilities, as well as some specialty doctor’s offices, expanded care offices, after-hour clinics and pharmacies. 

The closest UPMC location to campus that administers vaccines is the UPMC Falk Pharmacy Vaccine Clinic at 3601 Fifth Ave., located around the corner from the Victoria Building.