Flu shots now available at Hall Health

The cold, blistery winter season has officially arrived, and students at the UW are once again encouraged to receive the influenza vaccine.

The vaccine is being offered at Hall Health in the Immunization Clinic. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"I encourage students to get vaccinated," said JeanHaulman, co-director of the UW Travel Clinic at Hall Health. "Most people haven't had the flu so they don't know what it truly feels like. People normally develop high fevers, chills...their body feels like it's been run over by a truck."

Haulman said 36,000 people die each year in the U.S. from the flu.

The flu vaccine is offered in two forms. The inactivated vaccine is given by injection to people six months or older and costs $25. The intranasal vaccine contains live, attenuated influenza virus that is sprayed into the nostrils. The spray costs $35 and is recommended for people between the ages of 5 and 50 with a healthy immune system and no medical drawbacks.

"My kids get the intranasal vaccines every year because they hate shots," Haulman said. "Intranasal costs more, but provides more immunity."

Those at high risk of complications from the flu are people over the age of 65, people with a weakened immune system, pregnant women, children between the ages of 6 to 59 months, and people with asthma or diabetes.

"We want to encourage students with asthma and diabetes to receive the inactivated vaccine because they are prone to a more severe illness," said David C. Dugdale, director of Hall Health.

However, the vaccine is not recommended for everyone.

"People who have an allergy to eggs would lead us away from giving someone a flu shot," Haulman said.

The best time to get influenza vaccine is between October and December. The flu season hits its peak in February, but it is most beneficial to receive the vaccination during the cold season.

"I haven't gotten the flu shot this year," said freshman Rachel Glover. "I haven't seen news that I needed to get it, but I learned in biology that the virus changes every year, which is why people need to get the shot every year. I probably will get the shot because it's better to be safe than sorry."

Contributing writer Vicky Yan: development@thedaily.washington.edu