Flu Season: It's Worth a Shot!
Submitted by Dr. Michael Huey on behalf of Emory Student Health and Counseling Services and the Faculty Staff Assistance Program
 This Fall, Emory University will be offering two separate and distinct flu shot programs for students, faculty and staff.
Seasonal Influenza
Beginning in September, flu shot clinics will be offered on campus for seasonal influenza (the “regular” annual flu shot). The CDC stresses the importance of seasonal flu shots to significantly decrease your overall influenza risk during the 2009-2010 flu season.
Times and locations will be posted on the Faculty Staff Assistance Program website at www.fsap.emory.edu, the main Emory home page and published in the Emory Report.
H1N1 Influenza
The CDC currently predicts that immunizations for the H1N1 flu will be available late fall. Recent CDC press releases have indicated that the following groups will likely have priority for the H1N1 vaccine:
- Healthcare and emergency professionals
- Household contacts and caregivers of children younger than 6 months
- College-age students
- Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza
If and when the vaccine is available and approved for use, Emory will offer these vaccinations. The H1N1 vaccine will be a two-dose series, with doses a minimum of 21 days apart. Details about H1N1 vaccinations will follow as soon as possible.
For H1N1 general information and guidance, visit CEPAR’s web site at www.emory.edu/flu. Additional information can be found on the CDC web site at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.
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Take Precautions to Stay Healthy During Cold and Flu Season
As cold and flu season approaches, you can
take a few simple steps that go a long way
towards preventing the spread of germs. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) promote the influenza vaccine as the
single best way to prevent seasonal flu, but
also recommend the following six good
health habits:
Avoid close contact
with people who are sick. When you are sick,
keep your distance from others to protect
them from getting sick.
If possible,
stay home from work, school and avoid
running errands when you are sick. You will
help prevent others from catching your
illness.
Cover your
mouth and nose with a tissue when
coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those
around you from getting sick.
Washing your hands often
will help protect you from germs. Consider
soap and water as well as liquid gels, etc.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person
touches something that is contaminated
with germs and then touches his or her eyes,
nose or mouth.
Practice other good health habits. Get
plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage
your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat
nutritious food.
Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)
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