Flu season typically kicks off in October and medical experts say that now is the time to research the flu vaccine that will be available this season.
Robert Barandica, Medical Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Doctors Medical Center of Modesto, explained over 1,000 deaths have been documented in California per year since the previous Influenza H1N1 scare in 2009. However, approximately 90,000 people die each year from the normal flu virus.
“The main misconception people have about the flu shot is that they will contract the flu, which is not true,” Dr. Barandica said.
The type of immunization offered at the California State University, Stanislaus Health Center is an inactive culture, which means the virus being introduced to the body is dead.
“One of the main concerns for the Health Center is the students’ success in academic performance by helping to prevent any illness or diseases,” Megan Christianson, Health Educator at CSU Stanislaus said. “The flu shot is offered at the at-cost price of 10 dollars for CSU Stanislaus students.”
Chistianson also says she is an advocate for the flu shot because it is a good preventative measure. According to the Center of Disease Control, it is recommended anyone six months and older should receive the flu shot. They also state that it takes about two weeks for the injection to fully protect the body against that virus.
“Another benefit would be that if one does contract the virus, the vaccine helps to prevent the transmission of the virus to others,” Dr. Barandica said.
The flu shot is also offered to faculty to help prevent professors from taking time off from teaching. The Health Center encourages students to make appointments if they have symptoms of the flu virus. For more information regarding the flu vaccine, contact the Health Center at (209) 667-3396 or check out the CDC webpage at: www.cdc.gov.
Preventative health tips:
- Wash your hands for a full 20 seconds
- Try to sneeze into your sleeve, not your hand
- Try to avoid touching your face
- Be sure to wash your hands upon leaving areas attracting high traffic such as: dorms, library and dining facilities.
