Flu vaccine available at health service

University Health Services has developed a plan for providing flu vaccine to students in stages as it becomes available.

The distribution of flu vaccine in the United States this fall has been delayed due to manufacturing problems. There will be a corresponding delay in the implementation of flu shot clinics at UHS and in residence halls at UW–Madison. UHS projects that it will be able to provide flu shots on a routine basis to all students beginning in late November or early December.

A small amount of vaccine is currently in stock, and is reserved for students who are at higher risk of complications from influenza. UHS has notified many of these students by e-mail about the availability of vaccine and encourages them to get a flu shot as soon as possible.

Enough vaccine should be available by late November for all other students who want to get a flu shot. UHS and other clinics in Dane County will follow a specific schedule for giving vaccine.

From now through Nov. 17, flu shots will be available only to students who:

• Have certain chronic medical conditions, including asthma or other lung diseases, diabetes, immunosuppression due to HIV or chemotherapy, certain blood disorders (e.g. sickle cell disease) or cardiovascular diseases such as congestive heart failure. Students with these conditions who have not received an e-mail from UHS will need to provide documentation of their diagnosis. If you have been seen at UHS for one of these conditions in the past, we will have your records on file. Otherwise, please bring a letter from a health care provider or ask the provider to send a statement by fax to (608) 262-9160, attn: Janet Johnson, to verify that you are eligible for early vaccine.
• Are 65 years of age and older.
• Work in health care professional programs and provide direct patient care more than four hours per week.
• Are in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season.

From Nov. 17-Dec. 31, flu shots should be available for all students if adequate supplies of vaccine are available. The exact date at which UHS will start vaccinating students has not been determined.

Flu vaccine provides protection against influenza about two weeks after you receive it. Even if you have to wait until December to get a flu shot, you should still be adequately protected in time for this year’s flu season.

During both of the above time periods, flu shots will be available for eligible students on a walk-in basis at UHS, 1552 University Ave.

Flu shots are not available at UHS for UW–Madison faculty and staff.