KNOXVILLE—The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will offer its annual flu shot clinic to students, faculty, and staff from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today in the Carolyn P. Brown Memorial University Center ballroom.
The flu shots are available to all UT students, faculty, staff, and immediate family members over four years old. Shots cost $25, payable by cash, personal check, or major credit card.
All proceeds will go to the Knoxville News Sentinel Empty Stocking Fund, which provides food and toys to needy families during the winter holidays. Credit card charges will show the Knoxville News Sentinel as the charging party. Sponsors include the UT Student Health Service, the College of Nursing, the Knoxville News Sentinel Charities, and Knoxville-area physician Charlie Barnett.
Individuals with a severe allergy to chicken eggs should not be vaccinated. Additionally, those who have developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within six weeks of a flu vaccination, children less than four years of age, those who have had a severe reaction to a flu shot and those who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever should not be vaccinated at the event.
This year’s shot protects against both the seasonal flu and H1N1. Symptoms of seasonal flu include high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat and a runny or stuffy nose. H1N1 has proven to be minimal this year. Its symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
To minimize the risk of contracting or transmitting colds, seasonal flu and H1N1:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If a tissue is not available, cough into your shirt sleeve.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Wash your hands before eating.
- Do not share food or drink with others.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
Stay home if you are sick and restrict contact with others until you’ve been symptom-free for twenty-four hours. A mild, lingering cough may occur and, barring any other flu symptoms, this shouldn’t prevent resumption of normal activities.
For more information about influenza-like illnesses, contact UT Student Health Service at 865-974-3135 or visit http://studenthealth.utk.edu.
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CONTACT:
Rebekah Winkler (865-974-8304, rwinkler@utk.edu)