Preventative medicine focus of Health Services office

October 10, 2005 —

SVSU Health Services started giving influenza (flu) vaccinations to students and staff members last week in an effort to substantially reduce the number of people affected by the disease this fall and winter.

The vaccine is 70 to 90 percent effective in generally healthy people younger than 65 years old. It is most useful when it is administered in October or November to protect at the peak of flu season in late December and January.

Statistically, almost 20 percent of the population in the United States gets the flu each year. Of that number, about 200,000 people are hospitalized, and another 36,000 die due to serious flu-related complications.

The best way to prevent contracting the disease is to get a vaccination. They are available in Wickes 267 for $15 to students and staff who would like one.