In preparation for flu season, the University has begun
providing immunizations for students. But one particularly nasty
strain of influenza may slip through the defenses of this
year’s flu shot.

University Health Service Director Robert Winfield cited reports
that suggest an early onset of the flu in Texas has a strain not
contained in this year’s vaccine.

The New York Times reported that this new strain, Fujian, is
part of a category that causes more serious illness if contracted
and can lead to hospitalization or even death.

The Fujian strain is not among the three strains contained in
this year’s vaccine. But those three are close enough to the
Fujian and for that reason may not lead to an outbreak of
influenza.

The new strain was recognized earlier this year but was not
included in the vaccine because of time constraints, Winfield said.
Adding the Fujian strain to the vaccine would not allow enough time
for farmers to prepare enough eggs, in which the flu shots are
prepared.

If the vaccine is not successful in detecting the Fujian strain,
some sources predict “that this will be a year with a lot of
influenza, in which case there will be long waits to be seen in all
health clinics and if there is a big outbreak it may be hard to get
to the health clinics,” Winfield said.

Students living in close quarters with each other, particularly
a majority of freshman and sophomores in residence halls, are at
high risk for catching influenza and also are at risk for
contracting meningococcal meningitis, an infection that can be
fatal.

Influenza, spread through drops from the infected person’s
nose or mouth, is a highly contagious viral infection leading to
symptoms of a high fever and body temperature, body aches, cough,
fatigue and chills.

“Most people think of influenza as the stomach flu,”
said Lisa Butler, Community Wellness coordinator for the Michigan
Visiting Nurses, which has teamed up with UHS to provide the shots.
But she added that the “flu is a lot more serious” than
typical colds.

Flu shots are important in preventing the onset of flu symptoms
and are up to 70 percent effective. Although it is more important
for children, seniors and pregnant woman to receive the shots,
students are also encouraged to get them.

“If you are a healthy person, your reason to get a flu
shot is to try and prevent missing a week to 10 days of class or
work,” said Winfield.

Both flu and meningitis shots are available at UHS which charges
$17 for flu shots and $85 for meningitis shots. Students can
receive shots at designated campus sites and the price will be
charged to their accounts.

The shots are “covered under Care Choice and Medicare Part
B and most students could probably take it back to their insurance
companies to see if they would be reimbursed,” said Krista
Hopson, spokeswoman for the University’s Allergy,
Immunization and Travel Health Clinic.

While everyone is encouraged to take this preventative measure
as soon as possible, Winfield warns that the flu shot is not for
everyone. “People with diabetes, asthma, heart disease and
difficulties with their immune system” should avoid the
vaccine because of possible side effects.

The UHS website also discourages anyone with an allergy to eggs
from getting it.

Students already experiencing flu symptoms should avoid the
vaccine as well. “If they are sick, they should not get the
flu shot, because at that point your immune system is already
fighting something. It would help them to get it once they feel
better, though,” Butler said.

The University has decided this year not to offer FluMist, an
intranasal version of the vaccine developed by a University
professor, because of possible dangers reported with its use.
Winfield said it might be available next year after its effects are
observed more carefully.

Until then, the flu and meningitis shots, which cause only a
sore arm for a few hours, will be available to students for the
remainder of the week.