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10/08/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/08/2026 16:03

As Flu Season Approaches, BU Launches Flu, COVID Vaccine Clinics for Students, Faculty, Staff

As Flu Season Approaches, BU Launches Flu, COVID Vaccine Clinics for Students, Faculty, Staff

BU's flu and COVID immunization clinics are available now on the Medical Campus and will begin on the Charles River Campus on Thursday, October 15. The clinics run through November 20.

Health & Medicine

As Flu Season Approaches, BU Launches Flu, COVID Vaccine Clinics for Students, Faculty, Staff

BU's chief health officer on what to expect this season and who should get vaccinated

October 8, 2026
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It's that time of year again when there's a nip in the air, the foliage is turning, and pumpkin-flavored products are everywhere. And then there's the less savory aspect of fall: the start of flu season and the annual rise in other respiratory-related illnesses, including COVID-19, as individuals spend more time indoors.

Medical experts warn not to take the threat of flu lightly. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 51 million people in the US contracted the flu, 710,000 required hospitalization, and 45,000 died from complications from the virus in the last flu season.

Judy Platt, BU's chief health officer and executive director of Student Health Services. Photo by Cydney Scott

To help protect the BU community, Student Health Services and the Occupational Health Center are launching a series of flu and COVID immunization clinics on both the Medical Campus (starting September 29) and the Charles River Campus (starting October 15). The clinics run through November 20. For a full list of dates and locations-and for details on how to book an appointment-students can visit the Student Health Services calendar and employees can visit the Occupational Health Center website. And for those who miss the November 20 deadline, you can still call your respective centers to request an appointment.

BU Today spoke with Judy Platt, BU's chief health officer and executive director of Student Health Services, about what to anticipate this flu season, who should get a flu and COVID-19 vaccine, what to know about the new mRNA flu vaccine, and why it's important to get your flu shot before Halloween (or "Flu Before Boo.")

Q&A

With Judy Platt

BU Today: Let's talk about flu vaccines first. What is this year's flu season looking like?

Platt: It's still early, so we don't know exactly what this flu season will bring. National agencies and vaccine manufacturers track information from the southern hemisphere's respiratory virus season to help prepare for what we might expect in the US. Typically, flu illnesses start ticking up in October and November and hit their first peak in December, with the potential for an additional peak in late winter or early spring.

BU Today: What strains are covered in this year's vaccines?

Platt: This year's flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses: H1N1, H3N2, and an influenza B strain. The vaccine is updated each year based on the strains experts expect are most likely to circulate.

BU Today: There is a new mRNA flu vaccine this year that has been approved for those 50 and older. What makes this vaccine different from other flu vaccines and what do we know about it?

Platt: The first approved mRNA flu vaccine is an exciting development. It uses technology many of us became familiar with during COVID-19, and early clinical trial results are encouraging. Like any new vaccine, we'll continue to learn more as it becomes more widely used in the general population.

BU Today: If you're over 50, is there reason to believe this is the better flu vaccine?

Platt: There are several good flu vaccine options, and the right choice can depend on your age and individual health needs. My advice is not to hold off on getting vaccinated while waiting for a particular product. Getting your flu shot this fall is what matters most. If you're wondering whether one option may be a better fit for you, that's a great conversation to have with your healthcare provider.

BU Today: Will you be offering the mRNA flu vaccine at BU's flu clinics?

Platt: Not at this time. BU's clinics will offer traditional, protein-based seasonal flu vaccines. If someone is specifically interested in the new mRNA option, I'd encourage them to talk with their healthcare provider or pharmacy to learn more about availability and whether it's right for them.

BU Today: There's a catchphrase going around this year, "Flu Before Boo," meaning you should get your flu vaccine before Halloween. Why is the timing so critical?

Platt: I like it because it's memorable and rhymes, but there's an important message behind it. We want people protected before flu begins circulating more widely, and it takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to build its immune response. That's why getting your flu shot by the end of October is a good goal for most people. However, if November comes and you haven't been vaccinated yet, you haven't missed your opportunity. Flu season can last for months, and getting vaccinated later is still better than not getting vaccinated at all.

BU Today: A lot of people don't get a flu vaccine. Why is it so important to do so?

Platt: Flu can be much more than a bad cold. Vaccination can reduce your chance of getting sick and, importantly, reduce the severity of illness if you do get flu. At BU, we're also a community that lives, learns, and works closely together; protecting yourself helps protect the people around you, too.

BU Today: Who should get a flu shot?

Platt: Annual flu vaccination is recommended for nearly everyone 6 months and older. It's one of the best ways to protect yourself from flu and reduce the risk of serious illness. I encourage everyone who can to get vaccinated this fall.

BU Today: Let's talk about COVID-19 vaccines. Who should get vaccinated this year?

Platt: COVID-19 vaccination continues to be an important way to protect against serious illness. Current recommendations take into account factors like age, health history, risk factors, and previous vaccination. If you're unsure whether an updated COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for you or when you should get it, talk with your healthcare provider; they can help you make the decision that's right for you. In general, most individuals aged 19 and older are recommended to get an updated COVID vaccine each year, with higher emphasis on individuals who are 65 and older or at increased risk due to being immunocompromised. It's recommended that those over 65 get COVID vaccines every six months. Children and teens aged 6 months through 18 years can be vaccinated using a risk-based approach that considers health history.

BU Today: Why is it important to stay up-to-date with COVID vaccines?

Platt: COVID-19 hasn't gone away, and the virus continues to change. Our protection can also decrease over time, which is why updated vaccines are important. They help strengthen our protection against the strains that are circulating now and, most importantly, reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill. We've learned a great deal about COVID over the past several years, and vaccination remains one of the most important tools we have to protect ourselves from serious complications from COVID.

BU Today: If individuals have questions about getting a shot, where should they go for trusted information and advice?

Platt: Start with trusted sources, such as your healthcare provider. At BU, students can also turn to Student Health Services and employees to the Occupational Health Center. There's a lot of health information coming at us from every direction. Find sources you trust, ask questions, and make informed decisions about your health.

For a full list of immunization clinic dates and locations, students can visit theStudent Health Services calendar and employees can visit the Occupational Health Centerwebsite. Appointments can be conveniently scheduled online: students can use thePatient Connect portal to make their appointment and employees can schedule through theOccupational Health Connect Portal.

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Boston University published this content on October 08, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 08, 2026 at 22:03 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]