October 27, 2004

Purdue reminds eligible faculty, staff, students, retirees about flu clinic

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Health officials at Purdue University are reminding faculty, staff, students, retirees and spouses/partners who are eligible to receive the flu vaccine about the free immunization clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 29) in Stewart Center, Room 302.

"We continue to believe we have enough vaccine on hand to cover the people who are truly at risk in the Purdue community," said James Westman, director of the Purdue University Student Health Center. "We ask the Purdue community to honor these guidelines so we can ensure that those who need it most are able to receive the vaccine."

Purdue is following guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that recommends the vaccine be prioritized for:

• adults 65 and older;

• those 2-64 years old with underlying chronic medical conditions;

• women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;

• residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities;

• children ages 6-23 months;

• those 6 months to 18 years old on chronic aspirin therapy;

• health-care workers involved in direct patient care; and

• out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than 6 months old.

The clinic is sponsored by the health center in partnership with WorkLife Programs, which is part of Purdue's Human Resource Services.

"Purdue covers the cost of flu shots for the employees at risk," said wellness specialist Julie Huetteman. "It's a benefit that we're happy to provide, and in previous years, have been able to provide less sparingly. This year is quite different because we can't encourage everyone to get immunized due to the CDC recommendations."

Nurses will screen those coming to the immunization clinic for the risk factors defined by the CDC.

"People have a lot of questions about whether or not they qualify, and it's important that they ask the nurse at the clinic," Huetteman said. "But we're finding people are following the CDC guidelines."

Remaining vaccine will be available to those in priority groups while supplies last from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at the Student Health Center urgent care facility beginning Nov. 1.

Westman said those who are not at high risk can best defend against the flu by frequently washing their hands and actively supporting their immune system with rest, diet and exercise.

If the flu is contracted, antiviral prescription medicines can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms, which include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches.

The CDC's Web site recommends that those who feel ill should stay home from work and that sick children should be kept home from school or day care.

Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Sources: James Westman: (765) 494-1720, westman@purdue.edu

Julie Huetteman, (765) 496-2861, jhuettem@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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