Flu Shots, Vaccine Boosters and the Return of Water Fountains

John B. Stetson statue wears a face covering on campus.

Safer Campus Task Force Update
Sept. 29, 2021

John B. Stetson statue wears a maskOverview

  1. Flu Shots
  2. COVID-19 Vaccination Boosters
  3. Water Fountain Access
  4. 70% Community Vaccination Rate
  5. On-Campus COVID-19 Testing
  6. Latest Test Results

Get Your Flu Shot!

The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against influenza (flu) is to get a flu vaccine every flu season. Flu is a contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization or even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone six months and older get an annual flu vaccine.

Why is it important to get a flu vaccine EVERY year? 

  • Flu viruses are constantly changing, so flu vaccines may be updated from one season to the next to protect against the viruses that research suggests will be common during the upcoming flu season.
  • Your protection from a flu vaccine declines over time. Yearly vaccination is needed for the best protection.

Flu shots are currently available at Stetson Health Service and they are covered by most health insurances. Stetson Health Service will provide them free of charge to uninsured students while supplies last. Make your appointment today by calling 386-822-8150. Find out more about flu shots by visiting the CDC’s Influenza vaccine facts.

vaccination needlesCOVID-19 Vaccination Boosters Now Available 
On Sept. 22, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to allow for use of a single booster dose to be administered at least six months after completion of the primary series in:

  • Individuals 65 years of age and older.
  • Individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19.
  • Individuals 18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19.

This authorization applies only to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at this time. To learn more about who qualifies for a COVID-19 booster now, please consult the CDC update on vaccine boosters.

Find a Pfizer vaccine at COVID-19 vaccine locator.

Water Fountain Access Returns 
Beginning next week, water fountains on the DeLand campus will be fully operational. All water fountains will be cleaned and sanitized daily.

70% Vaccination Rate Achieved!
As a reminder, Stetson University’s DeLand campus reached its goal Thursday, Sept. 23, to achieve a 70% overall vaccination rate. In an email to students, faculty and staff, President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, and the Stetson Safer Campus Task Force members called it “a significant milestone” in Stetson’s strategy to maintain a healthy campus. The milestone brings increased freedoms under Stetson’s COVID-19 Tiers protocols, including:

  • Two Stetson guests allowed in residential rooms with face coverings.
  • One overnight Stetson guest permitted in residential rooms with face coverings unless sleeping.

To learn more about Tiers, please visit Safer Stetson’s Tiers webpage.

On-Campus COVID-19 Testing 
Screenshot from SalivaDirect website with company logo.SalivaDirect PCR-based testing is free for students, faculty and staff with a Stetson ID and no insurance is required. Testing will be provided every other Tuesday, 8:30-9:30 p.m., and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., in the CUB Faculty/Staff Lounge. Please make a note of your registered testing date(s) and time(s) as appointment verification is only provided upon registration and via email 24 hours prior to your test(s).

Latest COVID-19 Test Results

Asymptomatic On-Campus Testing

  • Sept. 20-23 – PCR tests of student-athletes and Athletics staff: 96 tests, 2 positive, 2.08% positive
  • Sept. 22 – Ongoing general testing results: 85 tests, 1 positive, 1.18% positive

A full list of Stetson University’s test result statistics is available on our test results page.