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Health Centers will host free seasonal flu clinics
The New Mexico State University Health and Wellness Centers are encouraging everyone to get their seasonal flu vaccine, since health care providers are expecting a very active flu season this year.
This fall, University Health Centers will host free seasonal flu clinics Oct. 19-23, from 8 a.m. to noon. The clinic, coordinated through the state immunization plan, will be for university employees and dependents covered by the insurance plan. Employees should sign up at http://www.southwestpharmacy.com/NMSU_LC.htm.
For those who are not covered by the state immunization plan, free clinics will also be held Oct. 10 at Memorial Medical Center and Nov. 7 at MountainView Regional Medical Center. Both clinics will be from 8 a.m. to noon.
Vaccinations available through the clinics include: influenza (seasonal flu), pneumonia, Hepatitis A and B, tetanus and meningococcal. Immunization for the H1N1 swine flu will not be available at the clinics.
The Student Health Center will have flu vaccinations available by early October for a fee of $12. Vaccinations will be given by appointment or on a walk-in basis. NMSU retirees should contact their pharmacy provider for the location and availability of flu clinics.
"The H1N1 swine flu came to epidemic proportions last spring," said Lori McKee, director of the NMSU Health and Wellness Centers.
"The H1N1 vaccine, as it becomes available, will be administered to the population as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)."
The CDC will begin distributing and shipping the H1N1 vaccine by mid-October, according to the CDC Web site. The vaccine will be shipped to clinics, offices, health departments and other project area-designated sites, which may include a mix of public health and private sector sites via centralized distribution. More information on the H1N1 vaccine can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.
For prevention and treatment of the flu, the NMSU Health Centers recommend the following:
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Get vaccinated if flu vaccine is available.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and dispose of it in a waste basket.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Avoid contact with sick people.
• Stay home if you are sick until you are fever-free for 24 hours.
• If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact the University Health Center or your health care provider.
For more information about influenza or vaccination, contact the University Health Center at (575) 646-6600 or the Student Health Center at (575) 646-1512.
Written by Bryant Million.