Vanderbilt Student Health has begun to offer free flu shots for students this month in an effort to prepare for a severe influenza season, as anticipated by health officials.

"The last three years, there has been a relatively mild influenza season," said Professor of Preventative Medicine and Medicine Bill Schaffner. "This year, the crystal ball is cloudy, but we anticipate a more severe influenza season."

According to Schaffner, influenza experts anticipate this flu season, we will be hit with a new strain of influenza.

"It changes a little bit year to year, some year the (influenza) virus appears to be more aggressive than others," Schaffner said.

According to Schaffner, it is important to get vaccinated every year because each year the vaccine is modified to keep up with the changing influenza virus.

"This year, we have manufactured a completely new vaccine," Schaffner said.

Director of Student Health Louise Hanson reported the health center has already given 1,000 vaccinations of the 3,000 vaccinations in their possession.

"The more vaccines we give, the better it is for everybody," said Hanson.
Hanson said during the flu season, between fall and early March, the health center generally sees five to six patients a day who have influenza or an influenza-like illness.

"We typically start seeing the flu around Thanksgiving ... it knocks people out for days and leaves you flat on your back with a fever, unable to do anything fun or work-related," Hanson said.

Schaffner warned that even students who are young, strong and healthy are still susceptible to the virus.

"The flu is very contagious ... You share breathing space within three feet and that is the way the virus is transmitted ... The notion to avoid everyone who is coughing won't work because people excrete the virus for 25 hours before they get sick," Schaffner said.

Hanson said getting vaccinated is an important part of avoiding influenza; however, she said good nutrition, enough sleep and washing hands frequently all help to prevent flu contraction. Student Health also offers preventative medicine to students who have been in contact with a person sick with influenza.

Free flu shots will continue through October at a variety of on-campus locations. More information is available at the student health Web site.