UHS encourages high-risk groups to get flu shots

This year’s flu vaccine shortage has been well-publicized – but some students may be getting the wrong message. Many students in high-risk groups have not yet received a free flu shot through University Health Services (UHS).

“Some UW–Madison students are leaving themselves open to complications, should they be unlucky enough to get the flu this year,” says Craig Roberts, an epidemiologist with the UHS Community Health and Epidemiology program. “We have enough vaccine to vaccinate all of the students who are at increased risk of influenza complications.”

When the shortage was first identified, local health-care organizations shared vaccine so that all high-risk populations could be served. But throughout the area, many of those identified as high-risk have chosen not to get the vaccine.

Last month, UHS sent UW–Madison students who qualified an e-mail notifying them of their status and urging them to get vaccinated. Students meeting one of the following criterion or more are deemed at risk and eligible for a free flu shot:

• Students with certain underlying chronic medical conditions
• Pregnant women
• Health-science students involved in direct patient care
• Caregivers and household contacts of children ages birth to 6 months
• Students ages 65 years and older

Students who qualify can get a free flu shot at UHS on a walk-in basis from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Students also can get a flu shot during a previously scheduled medical appointment at UHS.

We don’t know how severe this flu season will be,” says Roberts. “But what might be an inconvenient illness for an otherwise healthy student can be disastrous for a student in a high-risk group.”

For more information, call UHS at (608) 265-5600.