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BALANCING THE EMOTIONAL, INTELLECTUAL, OCCUPATIONAL, SOCIAL & PHYSICAL COMPONENTS OF HEALTH
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Influenza (Flu) Prevention & Immunization

All employees and retirees are encouraged to get a flu shot this season—the single best way to keep from getting and spreading the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read the CDC's Vaccine Information Statement. This year's flu vaccine will include both the usual 'seasonal' strain and the H1N1-like virus strain in one vaccine.

Campus Health Services will have updates and the most recent developments regarding influenza at the university.

Coverage for UW Faculty, Staff, Librarians, and Retirees

Your PEBB health plan (listed below) covers seasonal flu shots. If you're a UW Medical Center and Harborview employee, you should follow directions provided by the hospitals regarding flu shots.

Uniform Medical Plan
You can get a flu shot anywhere it's offered. See a list of locations. Be sure to ask the pharmacy or flu shot provider whether they can bill UMP directly—you may want to show them your UMP card. If they bill directly, you won’t be charged at the time you get the shot. If they don’t bill directly, you can pay for it yourself, then submit a payment receipt and completed copy of the flu vaccine coupon for reimbursement up to the amount allowed by the plan. See a list of network pharmacies that give vaccines.

Group Health Classic & Value Plans
Get a flu shot at a Group Health clinic, your doctor’s office, or a campus flu clinic. Check the Group Health website or see a list of Campus Flu Clinics below.

Coverage for UW Students

Graduate Appointees covered under Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP) including covered dependents: Seasonal flu shots are covered and available through the plan. If you go to a network provider, you won't need to file a claim—just present your ID card at the time of service. However, if you go to a non-network provider, you will need to pay $30 and file a claim for reimbursement.

Network providers include Hall Health, University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC), University of Washington Physicians and University Physicians Network (UWP), Harborview, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and Children's Hospital. Non-network providers include all other doctors and hospitals.

Students covered under Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP): SHIP and SHIP Plus plans cover flu shots. Learn more.

Note: If you attend a Campus Flu Clinic and are not listed as having already registered for fall quarter SHIP or SHIP Plus, you may need to pay $30 out of pocket and file a claim to receive reimbursement.

To file a claim, download the Claim Form. Under Part V of the form, select “other” and write in “flu shot."  Attach receipt and mail to WPAS at the address noted on the form.

Health Sciences Students: If you have been admitted to a health science program that includes work in lab or clinical settings, please see our Health Sciences Immunization Program site for more information.

Students covered by your parent's health plan or another health insurance provider can get your flu shot at the Hall Health Center. Please check with your insurance provider to see if it's covered by your health insurance plan.

Students not covered by health insurance should contact the Community Health Access Program (CHAP) at 206-284-0331 or 1-800-756-5437. CHAP can refer you to a Public Health or Community Health clinic for immunizations on a sliding fee based on your family income.

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Where to Get a Flu Shot

Campus flu clinics are open to subscribers and any eligible dependents covered under a PEBB, GAIP, or SHIP health plan. See list of clinics below.

Most local pharmacies and several grocery store chains offer the seasonal influenza vaccine—and some may offer valuable, in-store discounts and coupons on merchandise to encourage you to get a flu shot. While most providers will bill your plan directly, be sure to ask about the billing method before getting vaccinated. To see a list of locations, go to your health plan's web site (listed above).

Hall Health Immunization Clinic is open to UW students and employees. See the Hall Health's Immunization Clinic website.

Public Health of Seattle & King County (PH-SKC) sponsors a series of free immunization clinics. For those who don't have insurance and can’t afford to pay, please contact the Community Health Access Program (CHAP) at 206-284-0331 or 1-800-756-5437. CHAP can refer you to a Public Health or Community Health clinic for immunizations on a sliding fee based on your family income.

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Campus Flu Clinics

Each fall, the UW Benefits Office announces a series of free flu shot clinics in a variety of campus locations for faculty, staff, librarians, retirees, and dependents covered by a PEBB health plan and for students and dependents covered by a GAIP or SHIP plan. No appointment is necessary.

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How to Prevent the Flu

Who should get a flu vaccine?

Practice healthy habits to stay well and prevent spreading the flu and other viruses:

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Resources

UW Campus Health Services

Vaccine Information Statement from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

UWHR's Guide for Staff During Flu Season
For answers to common questions including when to call in sick, leave use, caring for loved ones, and temporary telework arrangements—check out UWHR's Guide for Staff During Flu Season.

Download a Flu-Clinic Flyer: