A free on-campus flu shot clinic will provide some early protection for the Queen’s community against the spread of the virus.

And that’s a good thing as it looks like the flu is already here.

“The timing of the flu shot clinic is good because there is evidence to suggest that the flu season has arrived early this year,” says Dan Langham, Director, Environmental Health and Safety.

The walk-in clinic, in partnership with the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addingston (KFL&A) Health Unit, is set for Monday, Oct. 27, at the School of Medicine, from 9 am to 4 pm. No appointments are necessary and the clinic is open to everyone.

 “It’s important that we encourage people to get the flu shot as it remains one of the effective ways to avoid getting influenza, as well as good hand hygiene,” Mr. Langham says.

Flu shots are also available from the following locations on and off campus:

• By appointment at the KFL&A Public Health Kingston office on Wednesday evenings (4:30-7 pm) and Friday afternoons (1 – 4 pm). 221 Portsmouth Ave. Call 613-549-1232 or 1-800-267-7875 x 1451, or visit kflapublichealth.ca/Appointments.
• DrugSmart Pharmacy located in the Queen’s Centre: flu clinics on Oct. 23 from 12-6 pm and Oct. 24 from 9 am-3 pm; walk-in appointments available during business hours or by appointment by phone at 613-507-7775 or online at iamsick.ca. An Ontario health card is required.
• By appointment from Queen’s University Health, Counselling and Disability Services. Student card and Ontario health card required. La Salle Building, 146 Stuart St. Call 613-533-2506.
• By arranging an appointment with your family doctor.

Students in the Faculty of Health Sciences are required to get the flu shot for their clinical placements.

For information, contact Environmental Health and Safety at 613-533-2999.