September 28, 2020

Flu immunizations will be available next month

The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) will be providing free flu immunizations until Nov. 15, 2020 for all active and retired SIU Carbondale employees, as well as surviving spouses enrolled in a state-sponsored health plan. Dependent insurance can be billed.

The Jackson County Health Department will administer the immunizations at four upcoming clinics, Oct. 6-7 and Oct. 14-15. To allow for social distancing and expedite the registration process, appointments and pre-registration are encouraged.

Masks are required to participate in the clinics.

Participants are reminded to wear a shirt that will allow the vaccine to be given in the upper arm.

The schedule is:

Walk-up Flu Shot Clinics

Student Services Building Pavilion

Note: It is advised that children should attend the walk-up clinics.

Drive-up Flu Shot Clinics

Parking lot south of Banterra Center

Note: Individuals seeking the high-dose vaccine should attend the drive-up clinics. Pets are NOT ALLOWED to be in vehicles during the drive-up clinics.

Flu shots are encouraged

This year, the Centers for Disease Control is encouraging adults and children older than 6 months to take the flu shot if they are able. Due to flu virus and the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare officials are encouraging getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021.

While getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, there are many important benefits, such as:

  • Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.
  • Getting a flu vaccine can also save healthcare resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.

What to bring

Employees are required to present verification of employment (university ID/picture ID) AND a state health insurance card in order to receive the free immunization. Retirees and survivors of state employees will be required to provide their state health insurance card and one type of picture identification.

For health department billing purposes, individuals must provide either:

  • the last four digits of their Social Security number
  • address
  • date of birth.

Retirees and survivors will be required to provide their red, white and blue Medicare card if they are enrolled in Medicare Part B coverage.

Dependent information

The health department can bill most private insurance plans. If you have a dependent or dependents who would like to receive a flu vaccine, bring a copy of their insurance card to the clinics. You may call 618/684-3143, ext. 119, to verify if the private health insurance is accepted. Cash, check, or Illinois Medicaid is also accepted. Credit and debit cards are accepted only at the health department.

Dependents may receive flu immunizations by paying $43, or $77 for a high dose immunization for those people 65 and older.

Additional vaccine information

Student, graduate assistants and teaching assistants may receive immunizations at the Student Health Center. Please contact that center to schedule an appointment.

State Vaccine for Children (VFC) will only be offered at the Jackson County Health Department building at 415 Health Department Road.  (For those who are VFC eligible; ie, uninsured, have insurance that does not cover vaccines, Alaska Natives/American Indians, on Medicaid.)

At the clinics, additional SIU cloth masks will be available for employees.  Masks will be distributed as long as supplies last.

If you cannot attend one of the scheduled clinics listed above, you may go to any Jackson County Health Department flu clinic to receive your free immunization. For more information visit the health department’s website or call 618-684-3143, ext. 150 for additional clinic dates and times.

Any other questions may be directed to Employee Benefits at 453-6668, or visit the department’s website.