The United States is currently experiencing a flu vaccine shortage and unfortunately, the Hilltop Campus is no exception.
“We presently have no flu vaccine available at the student health and counseling service,” said its director, Alan I. Glass, M.D. “We encourage students who fit into one of the high-risk categories outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to utilize other sources of flu vaccine that they may become aware of.”
The national supply of influenza vaccine available in the United States has been drastically limited because of production issues at a major vaccine supplier.
The vaccine, when and where available, is being administered according to criteria outlined by the Centers for Disease Control:
• all children from 6-23 months;
• adults 65 and older;
• persons 2-64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions;
• all women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
• residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities;
• children from 6 months-18 years on chronic aspirin therapy;
• health-care workers involved in direct patient care; and
• out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than 6 months old.
Though Glass remains hopeful that the health and counseling service will obtain a supply of FluMist (nasal vaccine) within the next few weeks, he said he has no idea how much the University may get, if any.
In the meantime, he is encouraging those unable to get vaccinated to help reduce spread of the flu through other measures.
“The most important thing to remember is that more germs are passed by hands than anything else,” Glass said. “It is critical that people wash their hands or use alcohol-based antibacterial gel often.”
Other tips include coughing into your sleeve instead of your hands, not touching your eyes, nose or mouth, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy, balanced diet.
“If you are sick, try to minimize your interactions with others,” Glass suggested. “It will help prevent the spread of the disease.”
For more information on flu prevention and the availability of FluMist, go online to restech.wustl.edu/shcs.