by Julie Lineback
Flu season is quickly approaching, and Health Services is offering flu shots on Wednesday, October 1 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the UWG Coliseum in hopes of preparing students, faculty and staff. Students receive the vaccine for free and employees for a reduced cost of $15 paid by cash or check only. UWG IDs will be required.
“Students are at a great risk because of their close living quarters and interactions,” said Liz Butts, health and wellness promotion coordinator. “Faculty and staff also are at risk from close contacts with students. The more individuals within our UWG community who become vaccinated the less risk of exposure and consequent illness that interferes with classes and work.”
Tanner Health System School of Nursing students will be administering the shots with the vaccines provided through Health Services. The vaccine this year is a quadrivalent vaccine that includes four strains of dead virus. With the dead virus there is no reason to fear becoming sick from the shot.
Liz said students have already been seen at the health center with flu-like symptoms including high fever, body aches and chills.
“The best preventive measures in addition to getting the flu shot include practicing careful personal hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and warm water or using hand sanitizer,” she explained. “Also, avoiding close contact with individuals who are experiencing flu like symptoms is an important precaution.”
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