Washington State University Health and Wellness Services began offering $15 flu vaccines on Oct. 24. However, demand has been so high that HWS was temporarily out of the vaccine. It was hoping to receive a new vaccine shipment by Oct. 28.
To receive a flu vaccine, WSU students can stop by the HWS medical clinic, located at Stadium Way and Nevada Street, from 8-11:30 a.m. Monday through Wednesday, or from 9-11:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday.
Students unable to stop by the clinic and WSU employees who want a flu vaccination can visit www.hws.wsu.edu for a schedule of flu vaccine outreach locations. HWS offers flu vaccine outreaches through Operation Immunization in conjunction with the Professional Pharmacy Student Organization.
High-risk individuals are encouraged to get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control defines high-risk individuals as:
*People 65 years and older
*People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house those with long-term illnesses
*Adults and children 6 months and older with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma
*Adults and children 6 months and older who need regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease or weakened immune system, including immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS)
*Children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin therapy (Children given aspirin while they have influenza are at risk of Reye syndrome.)
*Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
*All children 6 to 23 months of age
*People with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions (that is, a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders or other nerve or muscle disorders), and
*People who have regular contact with high-risk individuals
The CDC also recommends that certain people do not get vaccinated. People with a severe allergy to chicken eggs, people who have had a severe reaction to the vaccine in the past, people who developed Guillian-Barre syndrome after a vaccination and people who currently have a moderate or severe illness that includes a fever are discouraged from getting the vaccine.
For more information about vaccination and flu prevention, visit www.hws.wsu.edu.
