With the start of the fall season, everyone should be aware that flu season is also just around the corner. Each year, many university students get the flu, resulting in missed classes and exams. The virus spreads rapidly due to close living conditions, lowered resistance, and stress. The flu hits this area around exam time or just as students arrive back from winter break. No one wants to suffer through the flu during times that are stressful enough for students.
There are some important facts about the flu that all students should be aware of. The flu is unpredictable and can be severe. In the United States, between 5% and 20% of the population gets the flu each flu season. It’s estimated that more than 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized from flu-related complications on average each season, including 20,000 children younger than 5 years old. It is estimated that flu-associated deaths in the U.S. ranged from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people ,between 1976 and 2006.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a three-step approach to protect against the flu. The first step, and probably the most important, is to take the time to get a flu vaccine. Getting a flu vaccine is easy, and it is the first and most important step you can take in protecting yourself and your loved ones from the flu. The flu vaccine is effective and safe in preventing the flu, and the CDC recommends that college students be vaccinated each year.
UNH Health Services will offer flu vaccine shots throughout the month of October at the Health Services Center for a $12 fee, payable by cash or check. The vaccine is available to students, staff, and facility. Anyone interested in getting the vaccine should schedule an appointment on one of the scheduled days for the flu vaccine clinics. A schedule can be found below for the month of October. Please call (203)932-7079 to set up a time frame. Appointments come on a first come first serve basis. Please be advised that there will be a short wait time at each clinic.
Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinics
Friday, October 21 9-11 a.m.
Monday, October 24 5-6 p.m.
Friday, October 28 9-11 a.m.
Clinic dates for the months of November and December will be announced at a later date as long as there is enough supply of vaccine. Please make your appointment today. Protect yourself and others this winter.
