Influenza vaccinations begin next week
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/flushot_2004.jpg” caption=”Employee health educator Debra Earl administers the flu vaccine to Stephanie Gerber, fourth-year nursing student and co-organizer of this years flu clinic. Gerber is working at the clinic as part of her clinical placement. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay”]Hundreds of McMaster employees and students will arm themselves against the flu next week.
Hosted by the Campus Health Centre, McMaster's annual drop-in influenza vaccination clinics begin Monday, Nov. 8 and continue Nov. 10, 12 and 16 in the McMaster University Student Centre in the third floor banquet hall (Rm. 319) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. An additional clinic will be held at the Downtown Centre in Rm. 501 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 17.
“The flu vaccine will be readily accessible to all employees and students during the flu clinics we are organizing for campus,” says Debra Earl, employee health educator. “We are very fortunate to live in a country where health care is provided for us and fortunate that all of Ontario is provided with free flu vaccine for everyone. The purpose is to make the whole population healthier.”
Earl predicts there will be a big demand for the vaccine this year. “The publicity about the shortage in the U.S. has been widespread. There was a lot of flu in the community last year,” she says. “The best protection is to be immunized against it. A flu shot will guard your own health and those you come in contact with. It's easily spread among family members or housemates or co-workers.”
When visiting the clinic, remember to bring your Health Insurance Card and McMaster identification and wear a short-sleeved shirt.
Influenza is a common respiratory illness spead easily and quickly from person to person through direct contact and air. The virus is caused by a number of strains that change each year, therefore, a new vaccine is created for each season. Symptoms of infection include: fever, chills, headache, dry cough, muscle aches and weakness, which may last for several days to weeks. Complications may include viral or bacterial pneumonia and kidney problems.
