To protect students against the flu virus, Syracuse University Health Services has already started administering shots for the upcoming flu season.

Flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States in January or February, but the seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue into May, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older be vaccinated with the flu vaccine, which became available as early as August. The vaccine takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu, according to the website.

Two flu-shot clinics have already taken place at Archbold/Flanagan Gymnasium for SU and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry students. Since this year, just under 600 students were administered the vaccine, said Kathy VanVechten, a nurse practitioner at Health Services.

The first two flu clinics saw far fewer students than anticipated, said VanVechten, who oversees the immunization clinics.

“This is probably because they have continuing opportunities to get vaccines this year,” VanVechten said. “There was also an increasing opportunity for students to have gotten the vaccine at home or through a local pharmacy before returning to school.”

Maria Poplawska, a senior biology major, said she received a flu shot at one of the health services clinics because she has gotten the flu in past years.

“I had the flu previously and if I got it I would still go to classes; it’s not like I can miss them,” said Poplawska. “It’s more for my comfort; I don’t want to be coughing or sneezing and having a temperature for a week, so I’d rather not get it.”

For the remainder of October, students can receive flu shots on Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m. at Health Services, according to the email.

“We’re not expecting a large turnout, but a steady stream throughout the month of October,” said VanVechten. “We wanted to give students the opportunity to plan to get flu shots because of busy class schedules.”

Last year’s flu season began late and was relatively mild compared to previous seasons. But, flu seasons are unpredictable and the timing, severity and length of the epidemic depends on many factors. Between 146 million and 149 million doses of flu vaccines are projected to be manufactured for the current flu season, according to the CDC’s website.

Although Health Services has not seen any cases of the flu yet, VanVechten recommended that students who are diagnosed with the flu drink lots of fluids, avoid excess alcohol, practice good nutrition and get plenty of rest.

When the flu season begins, she said, students should avoid crowded areas.

Said VanVechten: “It’s never too late to get a flu shot. We encourage students to get flu shots because flu season usually occurs when finals are approaching and at a time when students really don’t want to be ill.”

Published on September 25, 2012 at 11:56 pm