Thousands at UW-Madison receive flu vaccine

Nearly 11,000 University of Wisconsin–Madison students, faculty and staff members have received flu vaccinations so far this season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has designated this week, Dec. 8-12, as National Influenza Vaccination Week.

Approximately 3,400 UW Madison faculty and staff received their flu shot at one of the 12 clinics on campus sponsored by the Environment, Health and Safety department. Several clinic locations had record turnout this year, with the most occurring at Union South, where 527 vaccines were administered.

“A big thanks to all of the faculty and staff who participated in making their workplace safer for everyone,” says Jim Morrison, occupational health officer. “Almost 25 percent of on-campus staff were vaccinated, which greatly reduces the potential of a campuswide outbreak.”

Every year in the United States, on average 5-20 percent of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from the flu. Fortunately, influenza is preventable: The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.

More than 7,444 students have already received flu vaccinations (including both shots and FluMist,) via University Health Services (UHS). Last year 7,290 students received vaccines from October through March.

Students still have the opportunity to get vaccinated this semester or in early 2009. UHS will continue to give free flu shots and FluMist ($5 per dose) at 1552 University Ave. from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, no appointment necessary, through Friday, Dec. 19.

Starting Friday, Jan. 2, vaccine will be available by appointment in the new UHS location, 333 East Campus Mall.

Faculty and staff still interested in vaccination should contact their primary care provider.