The University of Nevada, Reno Student Health Center is holding flu clinics where students can get free flu shots, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 5 and Oct. 18, at the Argenta Hall Mezzanine; and Oct. 14 in front of the Joe Crowley Student Union. Faculty and staff can also get the shot at the clinics, for a $20 fee. Additional clinics will be scheduled and will be advertised on the Student Health Center website.

“This year’s vaccine will protect against the three main strains that research indicates will cause the most illness this year,” said Dr. Hug English, Director of the Student Health Center. “The vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1, an A-H3N2 virus and a B virus. “Since the seasonal vaccine will protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus, two different flu vaccines will not be necessary.”

Hug-English said that students are encouraged to get the flu shot, as flu causes many students to become ill and miss class each year.

Students can also get the flu shot for free at the Student Health Center. Vaccinations will be available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Wednesdays. On Wednesdays, vaccinations will be available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On July 29, 2010, the CDC issued recommendations for everyone 6 months of age and older who do not have any contraindications to the vaccination, to receive a flu vaccine each year. While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that certain groups get vaccinated. These include:

• Pregnant women;
• Children younger than 5, and especially those under age 2;
• People 50 years of age and older;
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes;
• People with immunosuppression, whether due to illness or medications;
• People who live in long-term care facilities; and
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu.

For more information on this flu season and specific recommendations, faculty, staff and students are advised to go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Students and all University employees with flu-like symptoms are encouraged to stay home until 24 hours after fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

“We appreciate the efforts of both students and faculty in following the guidelines,” Hug-English said. “Staying home from work or school when ill is a key factor in helping to prevent the spread of the flu.”