Seasonal Respiratory Illnesses (Flu, COVID-19) and Vaccinations

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To: Students, Faculty, University Staff

Re: Seasonal Influenza Vaccination, COVID-19, and other Respiratory Illnesses 

The following is a message from:

Sarah Van Orman, MD MMM FACHA; Vice President and Chief Campus Health Officer of USC; Division Chief for College Health, Keck School of Medicine of USC 

Deona Willes, MPH, CLS, Executive Director, USC Environmental Health and Safety

As we enter peak respiratory illness season —including influenza, COVID-19, and RSV — we strongly recommend that all USC students, faculty, and university staff receive vaccinations for the 2023-2024 season, for both influenza and COVID-19.  

Vaccinations are an important tool available to us to keep transmission levels low, keep illness from disrupting our daily campus activities, and to protect the most vulnerable members of our community. Alongside good hygiene measures that we became familiar with during the pandemic; testing when symptomatic; choosing to mask when appropriate; and staying home when sick — we have many tools we can use to keep our community safer from illness. 

Getting your flu vaccination will help mitigate the potential simultaneous impact of flu, COVID-19, and RSV during the seasonal respiratory illness timeframe in the fall/winter months.  

It is strongly recommended to receive a vaccine against flu and the updated COVID-19 2023-2024 vaccine. People ages 60 and older should discuss the RSV vaccine with their healthcare provider if that is available to them. The best timeframe to get this protection is BEFORE NOVEMBER 1. 

FOR STUDENTS

How to get vaccinated against flu on the campuses 

• Wednesdays at the UPC Farmer’s Market Health Corner run by Student Health (McCarthy Quad, 11:30 AM – 2 PM, now through Nov. 8) 
• Tuesdays in the USC Village (11:30 AM – 2 PM) 
• At the HSC Open House in Pappas Quad (Sept 28, 4-6:30 PM) 
• At the health centers: make an appointment in MySHR (both campuses); walk in to Engemann (UPC) or Eric Cohen (HSC); ask during medical appointments in USC Student Health. 

NOTE: Students on SHIP/Aetna do not have out-of-pocket costs for flu vaccines. Students on other insurances will be charged $20 on their student account if administered by USC Student Health. This may be reimbursable by your insurance, please check with your insurance plan. 

FOR FACULTY AND UNIVERSITY STAFF

How to get vaccinated against flu on the campuses 

The USC Health Plans is sponsoring flu vaccinations at no cost for all USC faculty and staff at the USC Pharmacies. Employees and their dependents enrolled in USC PPO, EPO Plus, or EPO plans can visit any contracted Navitus pharmacy  and have their flu vaccination fully covered when they present their plan ID card, or they may visit their primary care physician and have the vaccination covered under their medical benefits as preventive care service. 

See the USC Pharmacies immunizations page for information. 

Why Take the Flu Vaccine? 

• Flu and COVID-19 often can present similar respiratory symptoms; receiving a flu vaccine will help with an accurate and timely diagnosis if you become ill. 
• Flu can cause significant disruptions in academics and the workplace. For example, students with influenza often miss 7-10 days of class. Preventing the flu can help prevent this lost time and impact. 
• September and October are optimal times for receiving the flu vaccine, as it takes approximately 2 weeks for your immune system to create antibodies for protection. Don’t delay; if you have an opportunity to get vaccinated for flu, take it! 

Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette Reminder

As a reminder, please continue to use recommended hygiene practices for respiratory illnesses: cover your cough or sneeze (nose and mouth) with a tissue; wash or sanitize your hands; and remember that masking indoors and in crowded settings is recommended. If you are sick, please stay home. 

COVID-19 Illness: What should I do? 

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, use an antigen test to confirm your COVID-19 status. Students, faculty and staff may obtain antigen test kits from the Customer Service Centers in USC Housing, the USC Bookstores or the Engemann and Eric Cohen student health centers. 

If you test positive, you must complete the Contact Tracing Form in MySHR. Completing this form will generate an auto-response with instructions and a link to obtain student isolation accommodations (only for students living in USC Housing). 

Updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccines 

Updated 23-24 Covid vaccines (one dose of either Pfizer and Moderna) are now recommended for everyone ages 5 and older. If you recently had COVID-19, you still need to stay up to date with your vaccines, but you may consider delaying your vaccine by 3 months. These boosters are formulated to protect against the XBB lineage of the Omicron variant. Another booster, a non-mRNA formulation from Novavax, is currently under review.

COVID-19 vaccines will be available from USC Pharmacies; a separate announcement will follow when the vaccines are available.

Recommendation

We strongly urge you, your peers, and your loved ones to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines. This offers real benefits — reducing illnesses, medical appointments, and missed classes, work, and other activities, as well as preventing hospitalizations and deaths. 

If you have questions about the flu vaccine or COVID-19 booster shots, contact studenthealth@usc.edu.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in keeping everyone healthy and safer from flu and other respiratory illnesses.