By Connie Colbert
Director, Canyon Health and Wellness Clinic
Be prepared this year! Canyon Health and Wellness now has flu shots!
A flu shot will help you stay healthy and protect those around you from influenza. And because influenza and COVID-19 have similar symptoms, Canyon Health and Wellness Clinic highly recommends the flu vaccine to prevent respiratory illness on campus.
Why be vaccinated? Annual vaccination against seasonal flu may help prevent illness, severity of flu and serious complications caused by flu. People who receive the vaccine miss less class or work because of illness. Also, the vaccine helps prevent others from getting the flu from you.
How effective is flu vaccine? When there is a good match between vaccine and circulating viruses, flu vaccine is at least 70% effective in preventing illness in healthy children and adults. Flu vaccine also can reduce the severity of symptoms if you get the flu. Flu vaccine affects only the influenza virus and has no effect on colds. For more on the flu vaccine this year, see the CDC Vaccine Information Statement (PDF).
The best time to get vaccinated is as soon as it is available because protection develops about two weeks after vaccination. Flu is typically seasonal, appearing in November through March in Arizona. A flu shot is needed each year before the winter season because flu strains vary from year to year.
Who should be vaccinated? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get vaccinated against the flu. Those at higher risk of flu complications, or those who live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu complications, definitely should get vaccinated. See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for recommendations.
Who should NOT be vaccinated?
- People who have a life-threatening allergy to eggs or other vaccine ingredients
- People with life-threatening reaction to any previous vaccine
- People who have had Guillain-Barre syndrome from the flu vaccine
Side effects: Minor side effects include soreness, redness and swelling at site of injection; mild fever; mild headache/muscle ache; nausea.
Schedule yours today!
Flu shots are free at the Canyon Health and Wellness Clinic and also covered by insurance at a walk-in clinic or doctor’s office.
To schedule, you can call the health center at 602-639-6215, call your primary care provider, schedule an appointment with a nearby walk-in clinic or call your local pharmacy.
Also, stay tuned to GCU today for more free flu clinics arriving to campus at the end of September 2020.
