Dear Student,
The Tufts Health Service is seeing an overwhelming number of students who are ill with the flu and other respiratory illnesses. These viruses can seriously disrupt your life and linger for weeks. We strongly advise that you get a flu shot before the Thanksgiving break to protect yourself and your loved ones. The flu season can last well into March so it is not too late to act now!
What you can do:
- Get a flu shot. Even healthy people can become sick with the flu and get complications, including pneumonia. Flu vaccines are available at Walgreens and CVS. Make an appointment today while supplies are still available. Please don’t wait. If you have not yet been vaccinated, you should do so now. The number of flu cases this year at Tufts surpasses volume from previous years.
- Get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Please get a booster from your local pharmacy over the Thanksgiving or winter break. Everyone over age 18 in Massachusetts is now eligible. The university is holding booster shot clinics and will continue to do so but has limited supplies. You can get a flu shot and a COVID booster at the same time.
- Wear a mask indoors or whenever you are near others. Masks have proven their effectiveness in preventing the transmission of COVID-19 and also seasonal colds and the flu. Last year’s cold and flu season was mild because of everyone’s attention to mask wearing, social distancing, and good hygiene.
- Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer. Infectious diseases can spread very easily from surface contact. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Do not share eating utensils.
- Avoid crowded, indoor situations. As COVID, flu, and common colds circulate in our community, avoid crowded indoor situations, especially where people are not wearing masks.
Please take these precautions immediately and help us contain widespread outbreaks of these viruses. We know they are circulating and that they are highly contagious. Thank you for your willingness to take these precautions.
With appreciation,
Michelle Bowdler, MSPH
Executive Director, Health & Wellness
Marie Caggiano, MD, MPH
Medical Director, Health Service
Camille Lizarríbar, JD, PhD
Dean of Student Affairs and Chief Student Affairs Officer for AS&E
Michael R Jordan, MD, MPH
University Infection Control Health Director
