It's not just for your grandma, and it's not going to make you gravely ill: flu shots are recommended for anyone who wants to reduce their risk of contracting the virus.
Flu vaccinations will be offered free to students this week in the Student Union and in Harriman Hall on South Campus, but some may be wary of misconceptions surrounding the vaccine.
"The flu vaccine through injection is not live," said Paula Taton, R.N., clinic manager at Health Services. "You literally cannot catch the flu from the vaccine."
Some people may experience mild side effects from the shot such as a stuffy nose or a low-grade fever, which disappears in a day or two, according to Taton.
"That is extremely mild compared to if you actually caught the flu," she said.
Normally the vaccine is most important for people who are at high risk of getting the virus, such as people over 50, pregnant women and those working in health care environments or living around people who are at risk.
"This is the first year where they're really recommended for anyone who is eligible to receive the vaccine," Taton said.
This year the Center for Disease Control expanded their recommendation of who should get vaccinated to include people through 18 years of age, but all college students living in dorms and other close-quarters can be at an increased risk of being exposed.
"It's a closed environment, so the virus kind of hangs out," Taton said.
The virus is spread by droplet, so it can be spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and someone nearby inhales those germs. Covering one's mouth when coughing but not washing hands afterwards is also a virus-spreading culprit.
Flu season usually comes into full swing in January and February, and symptoms of include body aches, high fever, fatigue and sore throat.
"If you catch the flu you're going to be out of commission for about a week," Taton said. "No class, no work, most students really can't afford to do that."
The shot needs to be received each year because the virus strain is always changing. Scientists use trend data to predict which one will be most prevalent each season, and create a vaccination that fights three types of the virus.
Last year the vaccination was not as close a match to the actual strain that circulated the country as previous flu shots have been.
"Scientists missed the mark a little bit," Taton said. "It was still protecting people but not as much as they would have liked. A small number of people were still catching the flu after they got the vaccine."
Of those who came into Michael Hall and were diagnosed with the flu, Taton said, 1 to 2 percent had received the vaccination.
"The shot is not going to protect against every single [strain], but usually it is pretty much on target to what's going to be most prevalent," she said.
The school administered around 2,000 shots last year to the campus community, and this year there are 3,000 in stock.
Flu shot clinics will be offered by the Student Wellness Team on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Student Union Social Hall, otherwise known as the Flag Room, and in Harriman Hall on South Campus on Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Any student with a valid UB card can get the shot for free, but faculty and staff are not eligible to receive the vaccine at these clinics.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
