UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Flu vaccine is available at University Health Services (UHS) for all Penn State students and student spouses covered by the Penn State student health insurance plan.
Students are strongly encouraged to schedule appointments ahead of time and may schedule appointments online at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/myUHS starting one week in advance of each clinic date. Students who receive their vaccine through one of the following clinics will be charged $13 to their student accounts. Students who receive the vaccine through a nurse or clinician visit will be charged $23. The Penn State student health insurance plan will cover the cost of the vaccine if received through UHS.
UHS will hold flu vaccination clinics on the following dates:
-- Monday, Oct. 8: Noon - 4 p.m., Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center
-- Thursday, Oct. 11: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center
-- Tuesday, Oct. 16: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., 205 Student Health Center
-- Thursday, Oct. 18: 1 - 5 p.m., 205 Student Health Center
-- Monday, Oct. 22: Noon - 4 p.m., Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center
-- Tuesday, Oct. 30: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., 205 Student Health Center
-- Thursday, Nov. 1: 1 - 5 p.m., 205 Student Health Center
An annual flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone over the age of six months receive the flu vaccine each year. Those at high risk for serious complications from the flu include infants, the elderly, individuals with a chronic medical condition (such as asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, organ transplant, etc.), pregnant women, or individuals who are immune-compromised due to illness or medication use.
“The flu strains have changed for this year’s vaccine,” explains Shelley Haffner, infection control nurse manager for UHS. “The pandemic H1N1 strain is still part of the vaccine, but the two other strains were changed based on expert predictions of probable circulating strains for the coming flu season.”
Frequent hand washing, proper nutrition and adequate rest can reduce your susceptibility to influenza and other infectious disease. Covering your mouth and nose when sneezing can also decrease the chance of infecting others. Be sure to dispose of facial tissues properly and avoid sharing personal items (such as toothbrushes or drinks).
For those who do get sick, knowing the difference between the flu and the common cold can help patients properly treat their symptoms. Flu usually develops much more suddenly and symptoms are more severe. In general, people who have the flu are more likely to have fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue and less likely to have symptoms typical of a cold, like sneezing and nasal congestion. Online self-care guides are available for both colds and flu on the UHS website at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/healthTopics/pdf/SelfCareCommonColdUHS.pdf and http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/healthTopics/pdf/self_care_flu.pdf online.
For additional information about avoiding the flu this season, visit the UHS website at www.sa.psu.edu/uhs or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/flu.