Flu season is here! This means it’s time for vigorous hand washing and your seasonal flu shot.
The SHSU Student Health Center will be administering the seasonal influenza vaccine free of charge to students on Wednesday, September 23rd, and Thursday, September 24th, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the LSC Atrium. Students must present their ID card prior to receiving the vaccine. The vaccine is not available through the Health Center for students who are pregnant or nursing. Students 17 years of age or younger must present a parental consent prior to receiving the vaccine.
Supplies are limited and the Health Center will administer the vaccine on a first come-first serve basis. In the past, the department has accommodated everyone that requested the vaccine. However, the center anticipates an increased level of interest in the vaccine this year. Consequently, students are advised to obtain the vaccine through other means if they have the opportunity.
“Every year the Health Center administers approximately 1,600 doses of the vaccine to students and employees,” said Keith Lott, director of the Student Health Center.
It is a common belief that someone can actually get the flu from the vaccine meant to prevent it, but this is not the case. “The viruses in inactivated influenza vaccine have been killed, so you cannot get influenza from the vaccine,” said Keith Lott, director of the Student Health Center.
Please note, the seasonal flu shot does not protect against the pandemic H1N1 virus (swine flu). The H1N1 vaccine is currently under development and projected to be available in the fall. The only method to preventing it as of now is to KEEP YOUR PAWS CLEAN!
Once the vaccine is ready to be administered, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that you receive both the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal flu shot yearly.
If you have never gotten the flu before, or have not had it in a long time, it is still recommended that you get the seasonal flu shot.
“Usually people who have had the flu in the past are the first in line to get the vaccine. Those that have not had the flu are sometimes more reluctant,” said Lott. “However, taking the flu vaccine is a smart thing to do for college students. Most students cannot afford to miss class and work due to illnesses. The vaccine decreases the chances that a person will get the flu.”
For more information on who should receive the seasonal flu shot and who should not logon to http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-flu.pdf
And for more information about the free seasonal flu shot and the university’s approach to the H1N1 virus, logon to http://www.shsu.edu/~uhc_www/