Campus flu shot clinics canceled

The Safety Department has announced that its annual free flu shot clinics for university employees have been canceled due to the short supply of flu vaccine supplies nationwide. On Oct. 5, the Centers for Disease Control was informed that almost half of the supplies would not be delivered.

It is unclear at this time whether the campus clinics will be rescheduled.

Due to the vaccine shortage, the CDC recommends that people at greatest risk for serious complications of influenza get vaccinated this year. They are:

• People 65 years or older
• Children ages 6 to 23 months
• Adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic lung or heart disorders, including heart disease and Asthma
• Pregnant women
• Adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes), kidney diseases, blood disorders (such as sickle cell anemia) or weakened immune systems (including persons with HIV/AIDS)
• Children and teenagers 6 months to 18 years of age who take aspirin daily
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
• Household members and out-of-home caregivers of infants under the age of 6 months (children under the age of 6 months cannot be vaccinated)
• Health-care workers who provide direct hands-on care to patients

For more information regarding flu shot availability, contact your health care provider or your local health department.