Flu and Pertussis
Health Center Wellness
The Health Center will be hosting a Flu and Whooping Cough Clinic in the Manwaring Center on January 24th & 31st from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. All employees, their families, and students who are covered under DMBA insurance, and who also meet age requirements can receive free vaccinations at the clinic or anytime during the Fall Semester at the Student Health Center.
- All students and faculty are recommended to get a flu shot.
If you think you may already have the flu, click here for more information on symptoms and treatment.
Any student who does not have the student health insurance can receive a flu shot at the Student Health Center or the Flu and Whooping Cough Clinic for $20. All expenses will be billed to their student account.
Recommendations:
Flu Vaccine:
- Vaccination is recommended for everyone who is at least 6 months of age or older. At our clinic, all recipients must be at least 4 years of age (due to the brand of vaccine we carry).
Whooping Cough Vaccine (Tdap):
The whooping cough vaccine is combined with the vaccines that protect against tetanus and diphtheria. The vaccine we carry is for anyone who falls in the age range of 11 through 64.
- Adolescents (11-18 years) - adolescents who have missed receiving their Tdap during the recommended ages of 11 or 12, are recommended to get a single dose now.
- Adults (19+ years) - adults have not received a single dose of the Tdap vaccine, should do so now. This can be done no matter when a person received their last Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster. Shorter intervals than the normal 10 years may increase the risk of a mild local reaction but may be appropriate, especially if the person is at high risk of contracting whooping cough or has close contact with infants. If you have already received a Tdap vaccine you do not need another one at the present time.
- Pregnant Women - pregant women not up to date on their Tdap, can receive the vaccination during the late second trimester or third trimester of their pregnancy. By getting the Tdap during pregnancy, maternal pertussis antibodies transfer to the newborn, providing protection against pertusis in early life, before the baby is eligible to receive the Tdap vaccines. This also protects the mother at the time of delivery, making her less likely to transmit pertussis to her infant. Pregnant women should always clear any vaccinations with their OB/GYN before receiving one.
For more information, please visit the link below to the CDC website:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/recs-summary.htm