Health officials around the country, including Eastern Michigan University’s top medical officer, are encouraging everyone to get vaccinated this flu season.
“The flu is not something with a little bit of [stomach] upset, it can be a life threatening disease,” said EMU Chief of Medical Staff Dr. Kimberly Keller.
She cited the fatal case of 5-year-old Alana Yaksich as an example of how deadly influenza can be. According to Alana’s Foundation, which was created in her honor, Yaksich died in February 2003 from flu-related complications that caused swelling and injury to her brain. The foundation has since made it its mission to help combat the virus, and gave Eastern Michigan University a $1,000 grant to vaccinate as many as 50 uninsured students for free.
Dr. Keller says that as of Oct. 14, there were 45 slots still available for those who are uninsured.
“A lot of years, it’s hard to get students interested in it because, for the most part, they are young and healthy,” she said.
It is unlikely that EMU will receive additional funding from the foundation to provide the flu shot to more uninsured students on campus.
“We are always looking for additional sources of funding,” Keller said.
Roughly 80 students and faculty were vaccinated on Oct. 14, and 300 have received the shot this year. Health Services is seeing an influx in the number of students getting vaccinated this season, which Dr. Keller attributes to more students obtaining the university’s health insurance.
Estimates from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention show that between 5 percent and 20 percent of Americans will suffer from the contagious respiratory illness each year. The university usually sees an influx in the number of cases between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, but it could extend as late as March.
Students and faculty are encouraged to take additional precautions on top of getting a flu shot:
●Avoid close contact with those who are sick
●Stay home when you’re sick
●Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
●Wash your hands often
●Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
●Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.
Eastern Michigan University’s Health Services will offer the flu shot to students, faculty and members of the community through October and November at the Snow Health Center and several satellite clinics.
The university said it can take up to two weeks for the Flu shot to become effective, and the worst side effect is a sore arm. The shot costs $30 without insurance.
Each person vaccinated at EMU increases the university’s chance of winning a Michigan Department of Community Health competition. EMU is currently leading Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Oakland University, and Wayne State University. The winner of the competition will be announced by the MDCH the week of Dec. 7.
If you’ve been vaccinated on campus or off-campus, go to surveymonkey.com/s/flubattle to report your flu shot and help EMU win the challenge.
