There’s Still Time to Get a Flu Shot

Just a little pinch! If they haven’t already done so this year, students, faculty, and staff can get a flu shot this week at BU. Photo by Vernon Doucette

The number of reported flu cases is climbing across the country, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting a “moderately severe” flu season thus far. The outbreak has led to thousands of hospitalizations and at least 45 pediatric deaths. If you’re one of those people who hasn’t gotten a flu shot yet, there is still time. There are flu clinics this week for all Boston University students, faculty, and staff.

A free flu clinic for faculty and staff is being offered today, Wednesday, January 21, from 10 a.m. to noon and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Occupational Health Center, First Floor, 930 Commonwealth Ave. The event is hosted by the Occupational Health Center.

Student Health Services (SHS) will deliver flu shots to students this Friday, January 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the FitRec Dance Studio lobby. No appointments are needed, but bring your student ID. Flu shots are free for students who have BU’s Aetna Student Health insurance and $38 for those who don’t. The cost will be charged to an individual’s student account. SHS will provide receipts to students with other forms of insurance so they can seek reimbursement (most insurance companies cover flu shots).

News accounts last week like this one in the Washington Post reported that CDC data has revealed that this year’s vaccine is only 23 percent effective. The Post story noted that shortly after the medical community chose the strains to include in this year’s vaccine, the “specific type” of H3N2 virus began to morph. So when flu season finally arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, “more than two thirds of the H3N2 viruses making people sick” no longer matched the strains in the flu vaccine, according to the Post.

Despite the fact that this year’s vaccine is less effective, doctors are still urging everyone to get a flu shot. Being vaccinated still makes you less likely to get the flu, says Judy Platt, the interim director of Student Health Services. “It is certainly not too late to receive the vaccine, as flu season often peaks in February,” she says.

Here are some tips for avoiding the flu, courtesy of the Student Health Services’ website (look there to see more):

• Cleanse your hands frequently. To assist, the University has almost 500 hand sanitizer stations in academic, residential, and recreational buildings across campus.
• Avoid those who have the flu, if possible.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces in your room or office with Clorox wipes or another antibacterial cleanser.
• Cough into your sleeve or a tissue, not your hands.
• Ill or healthy, don’t touch your face, as that spreads germs.

And if you should get the flu:

• Avoid public spaces. Those who catch the flu should get bed rest and avoid crowded places, including classrooms, FitRec, and dining halls. Dining Services allows stricken students to reserve meals online for pickup and delivery by friends.
• Clean high-touch surfaces in your room with an antibacterial cleanser.
• Drink lots of fluids, and if you have a fever, take fever medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen (Aleve). If taking the fever medicine for three days doesn’t fix the fever, seek medical care, which should also be sought if you are experiencing persistent vomiting. Students can call SHS at 617-353-3575 with any questions.
• People with additional, significant medical problems should call SHS or their doctor soon after getting the flu.

Additional reporting by Rich Barlow.