Suzanne M. Kehder, registered nurse in Webster University’s Student Health Services, said in an email interview she has seen an increase in the number of students coming in to health services for the flu shot. But, she said not many students have come in with flu-like symptoms.
Student Health Services on campus has a limited supply of flu vaccines. Flu shots are free to students. Local pharmacies, Urgent Care Centers and private physician offices also offer the flu shot.
Each year, experts predict what the most common flu viruses will spread during the flu season. Flu vaccines are made to protect against three predicted types of flu virus.
According to flu.gov, the 2012-2013 flu season vaccine protects against the following flu viruses:
—A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus.
—A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus.
—B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus.
This year’s flu vaccine does not protect against the H3N2v flu, which caused more than 300 flu cases in 2011 and 2012.
Share this post
