Health officials recommend flu shots for all ages


Flu season is just around the corner, and students, faculty and staff can get a flu shot without ever having to leave campus.

University Health Services is currently offering flu shots to FIU students for $16. For more information about getting a shot at UHS at Biscayne Bay Campus, call 305-919-5620, extension 2. To get a shot at UHS at Modesto A. Maidique Campus, call 305-348-2401, extension 22.

The College of Medicine’s Faculty Practice Plan is vaccinating faculty and staff who wish to receive the shot. Practice hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. Interested individuals should call 305-348-DOCS for more information or to make an appointment to get a flu shot.

Last flu season, the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus caused the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years. Health experts are warning that it is likely that 2009 H1N1 viruses will continue to spread along with seasonal viruses in the United States during the 2010-2011 flu season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending flu vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older. Even healthy adults 19 through 24 years of age, who were affected more than usual last season, should be vaccinated.

While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against three different flu viruses: an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus.

For more information, visit www.flu.gov, www.cdc.gov/flu or call 1‐800‐CDC‐INFO (800‐232‐4636).

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