UW-Madison students: Get an H1N1 shot Dec. 4

University of Wisconsin–Madison students aged 24 and under are encouraged to come to the Southeast Recreational Facility (SERF) on Friday, Dec. 4, to get a free H1N1 flu shot in a flash.

With approximately 4,000 doses of vaccine available and the end of the semester approaching, University Health Services (UHS) has scheduled a large-scale “FlashVax” clinic to vaccinate students against H1N1 influenza (also known as “swine flu”).

The FlashVax clinic is scheduled to run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., or until supply is exhausted. No appointment is needed, just a valid student ID. The SERF is located at 715 W. Dayton St. Guest students, faculty and staff are not eligible to receive vaccine at this event.

“Students have been terrific about this all semester, as we waited for this vaccine to arrive,” says Sarah Van Orman, executive director of UHS.

“Now that we have it, our goal is to deliver as many doses as possible to them as quickly as we can,” she adds. “By far, the most efficient way to do that is to hold a large clinic in a big space like the SERF.”

“The campus community has done a great job helping keep flu in check,” says Dean of Students Lori Berquam. “We’re asking students to help out one more time by getting a fast H1N1 shot this Friday.”

Students should wear short sleeves or sleeves that can be rolled up to the shoulder quickly and easily. There will be a limited number of free nasal spray vaccinations for students who can’t tolerate needles.

Free H1N1 vaccinations are also available daily at the main UHS location, 333 East Campus Mall, sixth floor, Green Clinic, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. No appointment is needed, just a valid student ID. Please note that there will be no flu shot clinic at the UHS location on Friday, Dec. 4. It will be held only at the SERF that day.

For more information about vaccine availability or UHS events, follow UHS on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/UHS_Madison or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UHSMadison or visit http://www.uhs.wisc.edu/display_story.jsp?id=1011.

Who can get a flu shot?

People eligible for a free H1N1 vaccination from UHS are age 24 or younger and are currently registered as a degree or special student in an undergraduate, graduate or professional program. Guest students, faculty and staff are not eligible.

You must be feeling healthy, with no flu symptoms, to receive a vaccination.

Students who are pregnant or have other high-risk medical conditions and students who live with or care for infants age 6 months or younger are eligible regardless of age.

Some people should consult a physician before being vaccinated. These include:

• People with a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to influenza vaccination in the past.
• People who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome within six weeks of getting an influenza vaccination in the past.