As the temperature drops and the number of sniffles begins to go up, students are being urged to get their vaccinations in anticipation for flu season.
In an attempt to limit flu presence on campus, UF is giving free flu vaccinations to students.
Guy Nicolette, associate director for clinical services at the Student Health Care Center, said there was a significant interest in the vaccine last year due to the H1N1 virus. Because of this increased interest, Nicolette said, the school doubled the number of vaccinations ordered from 5,000 to 10,000.
“We typically order about 5,000 doses per year and use almost all of them,” Nicolette said. “This year we ordered 10,000 doses as we planned a campaign to give the students free flu shots and expected a bit higher demand. So far, we have gone through about 5,000 doses.”
Nicolette said the flu is no more prevalent on UF’s campus than on any other college campus. However, he still believes it is important for students to get the vaccine because viruses such as the flu spread rapidly in areas such as college campuses, where large populations of people are in close proximity to each other.
“The best way to protect yourself from this virus, because there are no antibiotics for this virus, is to prevent the illness from happening in the first place with the vaccination,” Nicolette said.
Places on campus that offer vaccinations include the Outreach Clinic, which will be at the Reitz Union Tuesday, Nov. 15 to Nov. 17 and Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and at the Special Clinics at the SHCC. Vaccinations are given out at the Special Clinics Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The SHCC@Shands is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for vaccinations, as well. While vaccinations are free for students, employee vaccinations are available for $25.
