Required Flu Vaccine for College Students

By Abagail Chartier

EASTON – Starting September 22, Stonehill College will begin hosting its annual Flu Clinic, this year in partnership with CVS, in the Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex.

All college students who come to a Massachusetts campus – even once – are required to get their flu shot by December 31 due to a statewide mandate issued by the Massachusetts Department of Health.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said the healthcare community asked for the mandate, citing fears of maxing out the healthcare system with a flu pandemic still dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

“Everything we can do to ensure that people are vaccinated [for] the flu makes sure their ability to do what they need to do for people here in Massachusetts, through the flu season and the potential of a second surge, can be done as well as it possibly can be.” Baker said in a clip on the official MassGovernor YouTube channel.

Maria Sullivan, director of Health Services at Stonehill, echoed similar sentiment.

“Since Flu symptoms are very similar to those of COVID-19, requiring the flu vaccine may save lives and also preserve health care resources.” Sullivan said. “Since the vaccine is now required by Massachusetts, we hope that students will take advantage of these four convenient on-campus flu vaccine clinics.”

There will be four dates – listed below – when students can utilize the clinic, signing up ahead of time.

Students are reminded to bring their insurance cards with them when they come to receive vaccination.

Check your Stonehill email for a link to register for your flu shot vaccine!