Flu shots offered on campus on Oct. 20

Flu shots will be offered at Waldorf College
on Oct. 20 in the Atrium.

As cold and flu season fast approaches, Waldorf College students, staffers and faculty members and their family members can get a flu shot from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 20 in the Atrium.

“We do this every year,” said Jayne Shaffer, administrator of Winnebago County Public Health. “We also work with Waldorf on the tobacco program.”

Shaffer said she isn’t sure what kind of flu season to expect this year.

“It’s hard to say right now, but the H1N1 is included in the shot,” she said, referring to the influenza virus first detected in 2009. High-risk groups were encouraged last year to get a separate vaccine for H1N1. As more of the vaccine became available, it was recommended that others get the vaccination. H1N1 is still around, so it is important for people to protect themselves against the virus, Shaffer said.

Winnebago County Public Health will charge $25 for the flu shots. However, the cost is not covered by Waldorf College’s medical insurance because Winnebago County Public Health is not an in-network provider, said Dawn Ramaker, payroll and benefits coordinator at Waldorf College.

But employees who are participating in a flexible spending plan (Advantage Administrators, previously RD Drenkow) can submit a receipt as a qualified reimbursable expense, Ramaker said.

The health insurance plan offered to students does not cover preventive services, including flu shots, said Bev Retland, Perkins loan officer and student insurance coordinator. Students should check with their primary insurance provider to see if a flu shot is covered, Retland said.

Although pre-registration is not required, director of Student Health Services Mary Mathiasen has asked that those interested contact her to ensure vaccine supply is adequate. Mathiasen can be reached at Ext. 8157 or e-mail her at mathiasem@waldorf.edu.