Seasonal Immunizations
OFFICE HOURS: Monday – Thursday: 8:00am to 5:00pm • Friday: 8:00am to 3:00pm
AFTER-HOURS CRISIS SUPPORT & VICTIM ASSISTANCE: 303-615-9911
Seasonal Immunizations
The Health Center at Auraria holds Fall Immunization Clinics for Auraria campus constituents in Plaza Room 111. Any vaccine combination of COVID-19, Flu, and RSV (age 60 and over) are available, and you may receive all 3 at one time. The fall 2023 Immunization Clinic will be held from September 25 – November 17, 2023. The clinic will be open for walk-in appointments from 9:00am – 4:00pm, Monday -Thursday. Vaccines are available to only members of the Auraria campus community with a valid campus ID and will be provided at no cost to patients.
VACCINE AVAILABILITY:
Moderna COVID-19: Unavailable
Pfizer COVID-19: Unavailable
Flu Vaccine: Available
RSV: Unavailable
Common Viral Illnesses
The CDC recommends a yearly influenza vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. The influenza virus changes each year, and each strain can effect people differently. Since the circulating strain of influenza changes from season to season, the yearly influenza vaccine contains four different strains of protection. The strains are chosen based on data collected in the Southern Hemisphere. Winter in the Southern Hemisphere is Summer here in the Northern Hemisphere; thus, the Southern Hemisphere has already had their flu season. This data is then used to best estimate which strains of influenza are most likely to circulate and cause serious illness.
Between 2010 and 2020 the CDC estimates that the flu has resulted in 9 million – 41 million illnesses, 140,000 – 710,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 – 52,000 deaths annually.
Preventing Influenza
- The best way to protect against influenza is to get a yearly influenza vaccine
- For those 65 years and older, ACIP recommends one (1) high-dose influenza vaccine or two (2) standard dose influenza vaccines per season
- Frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water
- Regularly use hand sanitizer
- To properly use hand sanitizer thoroughly cover your hands with product and continually rub your hands together until all product is absorbed/dry.
- Cough/sneeze into the bend of your elbow
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth
- Limit contact with individuals who are showing signs of viral illness
- Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices
The public health emergency surrounding COVID-19 ended on May 11, 2023, due to the most dangerous phase of the illness passing. COVID virus continues to circulate as an endemic disease. Endemic diseases are disease that exist continually in a population (i.e., Influenza, HIV, Hepatitis, pneumonia).
In the week prior to the end of the public health emergency on May 11, 2023, 6649 people were hospitalized in the U.S. for COVID. There were 409 COVID deaths in that week. Public health officials are gaging how widespread and harmful the virus is through hospitalization and death rates. During the pandemic’s height, the number of weekly deaths reached 26,000 in January 2021. The CDC now also reports COVID deaths in relation to all other causes of death in the U.S. In the week prior to the end of the public health emergency COVID deaths made up 1.2% of all U.S. deaths.
Protection against endemic disease is important to prevent against serious illness, being hospitalized, and dying. Vaccination remains the safest strategy for avoiding hospitalizations, long-term health outcomes, and death.
Much like the yearly influenza vaccine, the CDC collects data on circulating strains of the virus in a population and determines which are causing serious illness. This strain is then formulated into a vaccine to best protect against serious illness, hospitalization or death. The strain of coronavirus that is currently circulating and causing illness is named XBB. The 2023 COVID vaccine prevents against this strain.
Preventing COVID
- The best way to prevent COVID is to get a yearly COVID vaccine
- Frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water
- Regularly use hand sanitizer
- To properly use hand sanitizer thoroughly cover your hands with product and continually rub your hands together until all product is absorbed/dry.
- Cough/sneeze into the bend of your elbow
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth
- Limit contact with individuals who are showing signs of viral illness
- Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious. Vaccines are available to protect adults 60 years and older from severe RSV.
When an older adult gets RSV infection, they typically have mild cold-like symptoms, but some may develop a lung infection or pneumonia.
Each year, it is estimated that between 60,000-160,000 older adults in the United States are hospitalized and 6,000-10,000 die due to RSV infection. Adults at highest risk for severe RSV infection include older adults, those with chronic heart and/or lung disease, and adults with weakened immune systems both due to disease and medically induced.
RSV can also lead to worsening of serious conditions such as asthma, COPD, Congestive Heart Failure, and others.
Older adults who get very sick from RSV may need to be hospitalized. Some may even die. Older adults are at greater risk than young adults for serious complications from RSV because our immune systems weaken when we are older.
Preventing RSV
- The best way to protect against RSV in older adults and small children is to receive an RSV vaccination
- Frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water
- Regularly use hand sanitizer
- To properly use hand sanitizer thoroughly cover your hands with product and continually rub your hands together until all product is absorbed/dry.
- Cough/sneeze into the bend of your elbow
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth
- Limit contact with individuals who are showing signs of viral illness
- Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices
Common Symptoms of Viral Illnesses
There are many similarities in symptoms of coronavirus, RSV, influenza, the common cold, and allergies making determining the cause of your illness difficult. The most common symptoms of viral illness are:
- Fever*/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Sinus drainage or congestion
- Muscle and body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
- New loss of taste and smell
- Decreased appetite
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Some people may have vomiting or diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults
*a fever is defined as a body temperature greater than 101.4°, it is important to note that not everyone with a viral illness will develop a fever
PCR viral testing is the best way to rule out viral illness as the cause of symptoms.
Testing and Treatment
PCR Viral illness testing is available at The Health Center at Auraria for COVID, Influenza, and RSV for those experiencing symptoms of a viral illness and/or have been exposed to one of these viruses. Most commercial health insurance plans will waive deductibles and coinsurance for viral illness testing and treatment if it is deemed medically necessary. Each insurance plan is different; please contact your health insurance company for details about your coverage and expected costs for COVID, influenza and/or RSV testing and treatment prior to receiving these services.
The cost for an out-of-pocket viral illness test is $75.00.
NOTE: The Health Center at Auraria does not provide at home testing kits
Auraria campus constituents including students, staff and faculty can self-schedule a testing appointment through The Health Center at Auraria’s patient portal.
Most people with flu/COVID have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu/COVID symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home, avoid close contact with others and manage your illness with rest, adequate fluid intake, and with over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), to help you feel better.
If, however, you have symptoms of flu/COVID and are at increased risk for complications, are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your health care provider. With laboratory confirmed COVID or Influenza infection you may be able to receive a prescription from your healthcare provider that can reduce the duration and severity of illness.
CDC recommends prompt early treatment for people who have flu or suspected flu who are at higher risk of serious flu complications, such as people with asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.
Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. Antivirals are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, intravenous solution, or an inhaled powder) and are not available over the counter.
Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They might also prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia, when treatment is started early.
Studies show that antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within two days of getting sick. However, starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a higher-risk health condition or is very sick from flu/COVID. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking these drugs.
There is no pharmaceutical treatment for RSV.
Treatment for respiratory syncytial virus generally involves self-care measures including managing your illness with rest, adequate fluid intake, and with over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), to help you feel better.
If the RSV infection is severe, a hospital stay may be necessary.
NOTE: If you test positive for a viral illness, a Health Center medical provider will contact you and offer an in-person visit, counseling on supportive care methods, and/or to prescribe appropriate medication.
Scheduling an Appointment
Appointments are available for testing only, as seasonal immunizations will be offered on a walk-in basis. If you have a patient portal account, visit My Health Record and log in to create an appointment.
If you do not have a patient portal account:
- Select the registration link below
- Submit a patient portal registration request and wait ~ 1 hour for your document to be processed
- You will receive an email to your campus email account with an invitation to the patient portal where you may log in and create an appointment
To schedule by phone, call The Health Center at Auraria at (303)615-9997.
FAQs
The seasonal immunization clinic is held September 25 – November 17 in the Plaza Building, Room 111. Monday – Thursday 9:00am – 4:00pm.
The Health Center at Auraria offers both Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccine, Influenza vaccine, High dose influenza vaccine for those 65+ years of age, and RSV vaccine for those 60+ years of age.
All current Auraria Campus students, staff and faculty are eligible to receive a vaccine on campus.
NOTE: Due to the end of The Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023, The Health Center at Auraria will not be offering seasonal vaccines to household or family members.
Influenza, high dose influenza, RSV and COVID vaccines are offered by The Health Center at no cost.
The Health Center at Auraria uploads all administered vaccines to the state’s immunization database (CIIS). You can access your CIIS record by visiting: https://ciis.state.co.us/public/Application/PublicPortal
If you do not wish for your vaccine administration data to be included in CIIS, please inform Health Center staff. You may also request a copy of your vaccine administration form at the time of your appointment or by contacting the immunization department at (303)615-9997.
YES! Vaccines are very safe. The United States’ long-standing vaccine safety system ensures that vaccines are as safe as possible. Currently, the United States has the safest vaccine supply in its history. Millions of people safely receive vaccines each year. The most common side effects are very mild including soreness, redness, and swelling where the shot is given, mild fever, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you have a history of fainting with medical procedures, feel dizzy, have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote (~ 1 in 1 million) chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
- Those with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome should not receive an influenza vaccine
- Those younger than 60 years of age OR with a history of intussusception should not receive an RSV vaccine
- Those, especially men younger than 40 years old, with a history of myocarditis or pericarditis should take precautions prior to receiving COVID vaccine. These individuals should contact their healthcare provider to discuss risks and benefits of vaccination against COVID.
- Those experiencing moderate to severe illness including fever should delay vaccination until they are feeling well. Mild illness without fever does not exclude a person from vaccination.
- Those with a history of allergic reaction to a vaccine should not receive that specific vaccine again. They may receive other vaccinations but will be asked to wait 30 minutes post vaccine administration for observation.
Yes! You may have heard that people with egg allergies cannot receive a flu vaccine. That used to be true, but the CDC has changed its recommendation. The CDC now says that it’s safe for people with an allergy to eggs to receive any flu vaccine that’s appropriate for their age and health conditions. In addition, the brand of influenza vaccine carried by The Health Center at Auraria is not made with egg material.
Yes! Prior vaccination for COVID, influenza or RSV is not required.
The FDA, ACIP, and CDC no longer recommend past versions of the COVID vaccine including primary series and bivalent vaccine (2022). As with the influenza vaccine, each year a new version of the vaccine is formulated for current strains circulating in the population.
It is advised that those with laboratory confirmed COVID, influenza or RSV infection receive vaccines regardless of recent infection. While people can get some protection from having COVID, the level and length of that protection varies, especially as COVID variants continue to emerge.
- Immunity (protection) from infection can vary depending on how mild or severe someone’s illness was and their age.
- Immunity from infection decreases over time.
- Importantly, there is no antibody test available that can reliably determine if a person is protected from further infection.
- Vaccination can prevent you from contracting an illness and can make your illness milder if you do contract it.
- It takes approximately two (2) weeks after vaccination for your body to develop antibodies and provide protection against the virus.
Prior to this two-week period, you can still contract viral illness as your body has not made the antibodies to fight it off. Therefore, it is recommended to receive your seasonal vaccinations as soon as possible.
Yes! Getting multiple vaccines at the same time has been shown to be safe. Vaccines work just as well and are just as safe if you get them alone or with other vaccines.
If you get side effects, they are generally the same whether you get one vaccine or more than one. So, it is not expected to cause worse reactions. Years of experience giving multiple vaccines in one visit show you do not get double the reaction because you got two vaccines instead of one. Immune systems can respond to many millions of antigens and germs at the same time. This means you can easily build immunity and get protection from multiple vaccines at the same time.
It is advised that patients receiving more than one vaccine in a visit receive one vaccine in each arm to distinguish between vaccines in case of a local site reaction. If you would like both injection in the same arm, that is also acceptable, and the vaccines will be administered at least one (1) inch apart from each other.
Patients will be asked to spend 15 minutes in an observed waiting area after vaccination in case of syncope (fainting) or other adverse events.
Other Resources
Mental Health Assistance: If you are experience undue stress, anxiety or sense any type of discrimination to your presence on campus, but do not have any symptoms associated with viral illness, we encourage you to call The Health Center at Auraria to talk to a medical or mental health provider. Call (303)615-9999 and indicate that you would like to schedule a coronavirus consult.
*All students, faculty, and staff on the Auraria campus have free access to the 24/7 Mental Health Crisis & Victim Assistance hotline: 303-615-9911. This line is for acute mental health concerns and victim assistance.
Telehealth Services: Medical and Mental Health providers at The Health Center at Auraria offer telehealth services to patients when appropriate. Due to professional licensing regulations that restrict providing care across state lines there may be limitations on telehealth services if you are not in Colorado at the time of your appointment. Please contact The Health Center at Auraria at (303) 615-9999 to discuss treatment and/or referral options.
References/Resources
Long COVID and Post COVID Complications
Home Test to Treat
Federal program that provides free telehealth treatment and at-home testing for COVID-19 and Flu.
For questions or concerns regarding vaccination speak with your healthcare provider or call The Health Center at Auraria Immunization Department at (303)615-9997.
