University Health Center will not receive influenza vaccine

The University Health Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will be affected by the inability of the Chiron Corp. to distribute its influenza vaccine. As a result, the influenza vaccine will not be available for UNL students, faculty and staff through the UHC.

UHC officials recommend that individuals check with their personal physicians and other possible sources if they would like to be immunized for the flu season. The UHC does have a limited supply of the vaccine on hand, but it is designated for high-risk students with underlying health conditions only. At this time there is no influenza epidemic; it is just a shortage of the influenza vaccination.

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is caused by the influenza virus that infects the respiratory tract. A highly contagious infection of the nose, throat and lungs, the virus is spread from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The flu season in the United States is typically from November through April each year. Flu symptoms include a sudden onset of high fever, chills, a dry cough, headache, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, extreme fatigue, and muscle and joint pain.

There are several preventative measures to take to avoid the flu. They include:

* Get enough sleep, typically seven to eight hours per night
* Eat a balanced diet
* Wash your hands frequently
* Do not rub your eyes with your hands
* Get an influenza vaccination

The UHC does recommend influenza vaccinations to help fight the flu, particularly for those with asthma, diabetes, chronic illness or respiratory conditions. Protection develops about two weeks after getting the vaccination and may last up to a year.

"I highly recommend the influenza vaccine for individuals with asthma, chronic lung problems, diabetes, kidney disease, a weakened immune system or other chronic illness or condition," said James Guest, M.D., director of the UHC. "The average student will handle the influenza well but will feel miserable for up to a week and may miss a significant number of classes. There are antiviral medications available that will shorten the duration and severity of the symptoms if begun within the first two days of the illness."

CONTACT: Jennifer Snyder, University Health Center, (402) 472-7459