There are also many misconceptions about flu shots. Even though there is a weakened or dead form of the virus in vaccines, you cannot get sick from a flu shot.
Nasal flu vaccines are even available to give people more options as well as provide an option to people who have an aversion needles.
This year, flu season is approaching faster than the Christmas season,.
Over the past month Student Health Services have been putting on flu shot clinics for both students as well as faculty and staff. They had three different days where they were in the Union giving out about 700 flu shots.
The flu is a dangerous illness that kills every year. Those who have underlying conditions or are especially young or old are more likely to have complications to the flu virus.
“The flu does kill about 36,000 people per year. It can be pretty severe. It’s a small price to pay to get a flu shot and be protected,” Physician and Director of Student Health Services Joanne Stein said. “We still have flu shots available. Students as well as faculty and staff can still come and get a flu shot at the Student Health Service. It’s available without an appointment. We don’t give flu shots over 12-1 p.m. or past 4:30 p.m.”
With every medication or vaccine there can be side effects. For the flu vaccine the side effects are known to be mild. From a sore arm or a little temperature elevation, the side effects are really not significant, said Stein.
There are also many misconceptions about flu shots. Even though there is a weakened or dead form of the virus in vaccines, you cannot get sick from a flu shot.
Nasal flu vaccines are even available to give people more options as well as provide an option to people who have an aversion needles.
Flu shots even have different variations, so if a person is allergic to eggs or other ingredients of the flu vaccine they have different vaccination they can get to help protect from the flu.
Many health officials on campus recommend getting the flu shot.
“I definitely recommend that people get the flu shot. Influenza is an illness that can be very serious. Someone who gets the flu can be ill from a few days to two weeks,” Nurse Practitioner Sherrie Rubio-Wallace said. “It takes two weeks for the flu shot to become effective, so the sooner people get their vaccination the sooner they will be protected from the flu.”
