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Student Health offers flu clinic
Student Health Services will offer free H1N1 flu vaccinations next week to registered UB students, one of many measures the university is taking to minimize the impact of the virus on the campus community.
The clinic will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 4 in the Social Hall in the Student Union, North Campus. Students must present their UB photo identification to receive a free immunization. The clinic may shut down early if the vaccine supply runs out.
The upcoming event is just one of many precautions UB is taking to prevent the spread of both the H1N1 and seasonal flu among students, staff and faculty. Schools in the Academic Health Center already have partnered with Student Health Services to give students and employees who work with patients the opportunity to receive voluntary immunizations.
“I would urge staff and students to get the H1N1 vaccination,” advises Richard V. Lee, professor of medicine and an expert on infectious disease proliferation and prevention. Lee notes that the H1N1 virus is “still very new to our immune systems.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified vaccination as the “first and most important step” in protecting against both the H1N1 and seasonal flu. The vaccines for the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu are different, and are meant to be used alongside one another.
In an effort to educate students, staff and faculty on how to recognize H1N1 and stop its transmission, university officials have discussed the illness with members of the university community, ranging from workers in Campus Dining and Shops to members of the Professional Staff Senate and incoming students.
All individuals can take steps to protect themselves from getting sick. Here are some tips:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash and clean your hands immediately after.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Don’t share personal items.
• Practice good health habits: get plenty of sleep, stay active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Use a disinfectant to clean your work space daily. Wipe down shared keyboards and telephones often.
• Sign up for UB’s Emergency Alert system to receive information on campus closures or class cancellations.
For more information on the H1N1 flu vaccine, visit Student Health Services. For more information on H1N1, visit UB’s emergency Web site.
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