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Starting in Fall 2020, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts<\/a> and Boston University<\/a> are requiring that students receive an influenza vaccine (flu shot). The vaccine requirement is an important step to reduce flu-related and other respiratory illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Why are students required to get a flu shot?<\/strong><\/p>\n Per an order issued by the Commonwealth\u2019s Department of Public Health<\/a>, the flu shot will be required for all full-time undergraduate and graduate students under 30 years of age and all full- and part-time health science (clinical) students at post-secondary institutions.<\/p>\n Which students are required to get a flu shot?<\/strong><\/p>\n Requirements apply to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students under 30 years of age and all full- and part-time clinical and health science students. These requirements are for students in BU\u2019s LfA Testing Categories 1, 2, and 3.<\/p>\n Students that will not be on-campus and are in BU\u2019s LfA Testing Category 4 are encouraged but not<\/u> required to get a flu shot.<\/em><\/p>\n When do students need to receive a flu shot by?<\/strong><\/p>\n The Commonwealth<\/a> is requiring that students receive a flu shot no later than December 31, 2020<\/u>.<\/p>\n At BU, students in Lf<\/em>A Testing Categories 1, 2, and 3 will become non-compliant if they do not receive and\/or upload proof of having received the flu shot by January 1, 2021.<\/p>\n How do students check their flu shot compliance?<\/strong><\/p>\n Students can view their immunization compliance on the BU StudentLink Compliance page.<\/p>\n To check immunization compliance, students should do the following:<\/p>\n Are there any exemptions to receiving a flu shot?<\/strong><\/p>\n Immunization requirement waivers can only be granted under two circumstances listed below. For no other reasons can waivers be granted.<\/p>\n What happens if a student does not get a flu shot?<\/strong><\/p>\n What about students who enroll after January 2021?<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n What type of flu shot do students need?<\/strong><\/p>\n Any age-appropriate licensed influenza vaccine for the current season fulfills the requirement.\u00a0 This includes injectable and nasal spray vaccine types.<\/p>\n Where can students get a flu shot?<\/strong><\/p>\n Students can choose to get a flu shot on- or off-campus.<\/p>\n On-campus<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Off-campus* near the Charles River Campus (CRC):<\/strong><\/p>\n Off-campus* near the Medical Campus (BUMC):<\/strong><\/p>\n *If a student gets the a shot off campus, they must <\/em>upload proof to Patient Connect<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n How much will getting a flu shot cost?<\/strong><\/p>\n On-campus<\/strong>: Student Health Services will be hosting on-campus flu clinics during the course of the Fall 2020 semester. Flu clinics will be announced on the SHS calendar<\/a>. Flu clinics are appointment-only, and students must make an appointment on Patient Connect<\/a>.<\/p>\n Off-campus<\/strong>: The price of getting a flu shot off-campus will depend on a student\u2019s health insurance and where they go to receive a flu shot.<\/p>\n How do students submit proof of a flu shot if they received it off-campus?<\/strong><\/p>\n To upload documentation, students should follow the process listed below:<\/p>\n If a student is learning remotely now but may come to campus later in the academic year, do they need to get a flu shot?<\/strong><\/p>\n The immunization requirements apply to all students who attend any classes or activities on campus, even once.<\/p>\n If a student is learning remotely now but may come to campus later in the academic year, we recommend receiving the flu shot and uploading immunization records into Patient Connect<\/a> as early as possible to ensure all records are in place prior to students attending classes or activities in person.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nThe flu shot requirement applies to*:<\/h4>\n
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All full-time undergraduate and graduate students under 30 years of age<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n
All full- and part-time clinical and health science students<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
*The flu shot requirement is for students in BU\u2019s Learn from Anywhere (LfA) Testing Categories 1, 2, and 3.<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
FAQs about the Flu Shot Compliance Requirement<\/h4>
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FAQs about Getting a Flu Shot<\/h4>
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