Inside Iowa State
Nov. 10, 1995


A Shot in Time . . .

by Linda Charles
Now is the ideal time to get a flu shot, says Dr. Robert 
Patterson, director of the student health center. It's best 
to get the shot by the third week in November but shots given 
through December will help ward off February outbreaks of the 
flu.

It takes 30 to 35 days for the shot to reach its full 
protective power, Patterson said. But the effect is 
cumulative, so even after 10 days, the body has increased 
resistance.

Faculty and staff can get shots at the Student Health Center.
The full cost of the shot is $6. Principal Insurance (held by 
faculty and P&S employees) will pay 90 percent of the cost.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield II (held by some Merit employees) pays 
90 percent of the cost, while Blue Cross/Blue Shield III 
(also held by some Merit employees) pays 80 percent. The 
student health center will bill you for the entire amount and 
then file your claim for you. Employees covered by Principal 
Mutual will pay the cost of the flu shot and then be 
reimbursed. Employees covered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield 
should not pay those bills until the insurance payment has 
been credited.

ISU employees covered by HMOs, such as Preferred Blue or 
Principal Healthcare, should receive their shots through 
their primary care givers or networks. Shots received at the 
student health center do not qualify for reimbursement 
through the HMOs.

Just the facts: flu shots
--Who: Anyone who is exposed to lots of people or is in a 
high stress environment (people who have too much work, lots 
of deadlines and may not be eating and sleeping right).

--Where: Student Health Center, 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 5 
p.m. Monday-Friday (for all faculty and staff). No 
appointment necessary.

--Cost: On campus, 60 cents to $1.20, after insurance
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University Relations
Iowa State University