2019 High Risk Flu Vaccination Clinic

The change of seasons often brings an influenza outbreak. Although influenza activity generally peaks around January, it takes the body about two weeks after vaccination to develop antibodies that will protect against influenza virus infection. For that reason, it's important to get vaccinated before the seasonal outbreak, especially if you fall into the high risk category. Students, staff, and faculty are invited to get their influenza vaccination through Health Services.

People in the following high risk categories are strongly encouraged to get the flu immunization: (Source: National Advisory Committee on Immunization)

• All pregnant women.
• Adults and children with the following chronic health conditions: 
  • cardiac or pulmonary disorders (including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and asthma);
  • diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases;
  • cancer, immune compromising conditions (due to underlying disease, therapy or both);
  • renal disease;
  • anemia or hemoglobinopathy;
  • neurologic or neurodevelopment conditions;
  • morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥40);
  • children and adolescents (age 6 months to 18 years) undergoing treatment for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid, because of the potential increase of Reye’s syndrome associated with influenza.
• People of any age who are residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities.
• People ≥65 years of age.
• All children 6 to 59 months of age.
• Indigenous peoples.

People capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk

• Health care and other care providers in facilities and community settings who, through their activities, are capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk of influenza complications.
• Household contacts (adults and children) of individuals at high risk of influenza-related complications (whether or not the individual at high risk has been immunized):
  • household contacts of individuals at high risk, as listed in the section above;
  • household contacts of infants <6 months of age as these infants are at high risk of complications from influenza but cannot receive influenza vaccine;
  • members of a household expecting a newborn during the influenza season.
• Those providing regular child care to children ≤59 months of age, whether in or out of the home.
• Those who provide services within closed or relatively closed settings to persons at high risk (e.g., crew on a ship).

Others

• People who provide essential community services.
• People in direct contact during culling operations with poultry infected with avian influenza.