University Park

Flu shot clinics for students begin Oct. 7

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- University Health Services has announced dates for this year’s flu shot clinics, which will be held in the HUB-Robeson Center and in the Student Health Center, and are open to current University Park students.

The clinics will be held:-- Monday, Oct. 7: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (HUB - Alumni Hall)-- Monday, Oct. 14: noon to 4 p.m. (HUB - Alumni Hall)-- Tuesday, Oct. 15: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Student Health Center - Room 204/205)-- Thursday, Oct. 17: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (HUB - Alumni Hall)-- Thursday, Oct. 24: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Student Health Center - Rooms 204/205)-- Tuesday, Oct. 29: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Student Health Center - Rooms 204/205)-- Thursday, Nov. 7: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Student Health Center - Rooms 204/205)Flu shots are available at these clinics for $10 for current University Park students.

Shelley Haffner, manager of infection control and prevention with University Health Services, advised students to receive a flu shot as early into the flu season as possible. “It takes two weeks after the vaccination for antibodies to develop and provide protection against the flu virus,” she said. “It’s possible to get the flu within those two weeks, although it’s not caused by the flu shot, as some people suspect.”

The most common side effects of the vaccine in adults are soreness, redness or swelling at the injection side that may last one to two days.

Students will need to schedule an appointment on UHS' website for the flu shot clinics. Due to the number of students who receive the vaccine, the clinics cannot accept walk-ins. Students are able to book an appointment up to a week ahead of the clinic's date.

Experts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn that the flu shot isn’t for everyone. Those who have had a severe reaction previously to a flu shot should not receive an influenza vaccination. Also, those who are moderately to severely ill should wait until they are feeling better to get the flu vaccine.

For students who have either an egg allergy or fear of needles, other flu vaccine options are available this year by scheduling an appointment at University Health Services. These options are not available at the vaccine clinics.

For more information about the flu shot clinics, contact Jill Nadorlik, University Health Services marketing manager, at jen5005@psu.edu or 814-865-7921.

Last Updated September 30, 2013

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