It’s time to get a flu shot.
“Recent news from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases that 900,000 people were hospitalized and 80,000 died from the flu in the U.S. last season represents a dramatic increase from past years,” Dr. Susan Batten, UT associate professor of nursing, said. “The loss of life from communicable disease is always tragic; however, there are hidden costs as well.
“Health-care professionals who get influenza will miss work or worse yet try to provide care while ill. Students and teachers will be absent from school, and parents will need to juggle family and work responsibilities in order to stay home with sick children.”
UT students, staff and faculty can minimize the risk for getting seasonal flu by practicing good handwashing and by getting a flu shot, Batten said.
“The vaccine contains four strains of virus A and B lineage; each dose contains only non-infectious viruses, so it does not cause influenza,” she said. “The single-dose vaccine that is provided does not contain mercury-based preservatives. Regular-dose, high-dose for those 65 and older, and egg-free vaccines are available.”
The University provides free influenza immunization for students and employees. Walk-in clinics will be held on Health Science and Main campuses in October and November. Nurses and nursing students will administer the vaccines.
UT Medical Center faculty, staff, students and volunteers not granted a waiver for medical or religious reasons are required to receive an influenza vaccination. Prior to their vaccination, employees must fill out a consent form, which is available at influenza.utoledo.edu. Those who have received flu shots elsewhere also may upload documentation of their vaccination at the same website. Proof of immunization must be received by Dec. 1.
Main Campus students and employees can save time and register at influenza.utoledo.edu before going to a clinic.
Clinics will take place:
• Tuesday, Oct. 9 — Pinnacle Lounge from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 10 — UT Medical Center Gift Shop 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 11 — Pinnacle Lounge from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 16 — Main Campus Medical Center from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Wednesday, Oct. 17 — UTMC third floor from 7 to 11 a.m. and UTMC Gift Shop from 11:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 18 — UTMC Gift Shop 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Main Campus Medical Center from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Friday, Oct. 19 — Main Campus Medical Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 23 — Health Education Building Lobby from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Pinnacle Lounge from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 24 — Collier Building Lobby from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Main Campus Medical Center from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Thursday, Oct. 25 — Health Education Building Lobby from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Main Campus Medical Center from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Friday, Oct. 26 — Pinnacle Lounge from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 30 — Main Campus Medical Center from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Wednesday, Oct. 31 — Stranahan Hall Lobby from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 1 — Savage Arena Lobby from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 7 — Health and Human Services Building Lobby from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 8 — Thompson Student Union Lobby from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In addition, vaccines will be available at the hospital from midnight to 3 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10; Friday, Oct. 12; Monday, Oct. 15; Friday, Oct. 19; Monday, Oct. 22; and Wednesday, Oct. 24. Nurses and nursing students will walk the halls and administer shots.
