2025 #flUGA Campaign Administers Record Number of Flu Vaccines
October 31st marked the end of UGA’s 2025 #flUGA campaign. #flUGA is a partnership between the University Health Center (UHC) and the College of Pharmacy to offer flu vaccines around campus. This year set a record by administering 8,580 flu immunizations to students, faculty, and staff in just two months. The hope is that this effort will reduce the number of flu cases across campus moving into winter, a season when flu cases typically spike. According to the Georgia Registry for Immunization Transactions (GRITS), 16.1% of eligible UGA students had been vaccinated for the flu by early November 2025.
The goal of #flUGA is to increase the number of vaccinated UGA community members by reducing the barriers that are traditionally cited as reasons for college students to not get a flu vaccine.
Busy schedules and a lack of convenience are often listed as top reasons students don’t take the time to be vaccinated. To combat this, the College of Pharmacy and the UHC held 95 outreach events in two months. These were held in dining halls, residence halls, academic units and Greek Life organizations to make getting a flu shot quick and easy. On days where weather permitted, nursing staff from the UHC used a golf cart to drive around campus and offer flu shots on the spot, allowing students to get vaccinated on their way to and from class.
Students also say that cost can be a reason to not get the flu vaccine. To alleviate this concern, flu shots were offered at no out-of-pocket cost. The UGA President’s Office provided funding to help ensure that everyone, regardless of medical insurance status, could be vaccinated.
The partnership between the UGA College of Pharmacy and the UHC to provide flu vaccines began in 2013, and was branded as “#flUGA” in 2016. The number of vaccines given continues to grow each year, resulting in over 200% growth in the past 12 years. Twenty temporary student employees were hired to assist with the campaign. This peer-to-peer connection helped increase uptake among students, and provided valuable experiential learning experience.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 30 million people will get the flu each year. Even though the vast majority of college students will recover without complications, getting the flu vaccine can help shorten recovery time and make the symptoms much more tolerable for those who catch the virus. This translates to fewer days of missed class, which can lead to improved student success. Flu shots are still available at the UHC until the end of April 2026, and will continue to be offered to students at each clinic visit. Students, faculty, and staff can also walk-in to the UHC Pharmacy Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., no appointment required to be vaccinated.
