September 02, 2009
Seasonal flu shot clinics begin next week at SIUC
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Seasonal flu shots will be available to Southern Illinois University Carbondale students, faculty and staff beginning next week.
Following the recommendation for early vaccination against seasonal flu issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Student Health Center will conduct multiple vaccination clinics.
The cost to students is $15 at the immunization clinics. If administered through an appointment at the health center, the cost is $15 plus a $6 door fee.
Here is the schedule for the seasonal influenza vaccination clinics for students:
• Sept. 10, noon-6 p.m., Student Health Center Auditorium.
• Sept. 15, 7:30-10 a.m., second-floor breezeway between the Student Health and Student Recreation centers.
• Sept. 23, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Student Health Assessment Clinic in the Student Center.
• Oct. 1, 4:30-7 p.m., Student Outreach Clinic in Trueblood Hall.
The Jackson County Health Department will hold seasonal flu vaccination clinics for SIUC employees Sept. 22 and Sept. 30, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center Alumni Lounge. The immunization is free; employees must show insurance cards and a picture ID.
The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in late October or in November. Health officials continue to urge everyone to cover a cough or sneeze, wash hands frequently with soap and water, and stay home if sick.
No cases of H1N1 flu have been reported on the SIUC campus. The Illinois Consortium of Student Health Centers conducted a conference call on Tuesday, Sept. 1, during which health officials shared information from their respective universities. Loyola University reported a few cases of H1N1; Illinois State reported 15-20 cases, as did the University of Illinois-Springfield; and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reported 31 documented cases, with close to 100 students seen with influenza-like illnesses.
According to Dr. Ted Grace, director of SIUC’s Student Health Center, public health officials have indicated that any cases of flu seen at this time of year will be considered to be H1N1, since it is too early for seasonal flu.