Free influenza vaccinations for students announced

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone six months and older.  They recommend getting vaccinated before the end of October. Flu vaccination can reduce the campus’s flu illnesses and help prevent flu-related hospitalizations. This is why Student Health and Counseling Services, along with Pierce County Public Health, are providing free influenza vaccinations to students on Oct. 11, 2016, in the University Center’s Apple River Room (333) from 12-2 p.m.

To further protect the students, Student Health Services has arranged with Vibrant Health Family Clinics to provide an on-campus flu vaccination clinic for faculty and staff Oct. 18, 2016, in the University Center’s Wind River Room (232) from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Influenza symptoms of cough, fevers, feeling like you were hit by a truck and body aches for three to 14 days can knock a person down, but it is the secondary infections that are the scariest, especially for someone with chronic health issues or those very young or very old.

Pneumonia, bronchitis and sinus/ear infections are three examples of complications from the flu. The flu can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu, and someone with heart or lung disease may need to be hospitalized because of pneumonia initiated as a complication of the flu

In addition to avoiding close contact with those who are ill, you can take every day preventive actions such as:

• Get vaccinated against influenza to take advantage of one of the best ways to avoid getting influenza. Vaccines are available at most clinics and pharmacies. Influenza vaccines are covered for current students at Vibrant Health Family Clinics in River Falls (call 715-425-6701 for an appointment).
• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.
• Clean shared work spaces with disinfectant between users. Disinfecting or bleach wipes work great especially for keyboards, phones, and doorknobs.
• Stay home when you are sick. If you have influenza symptoms you should stay home.  Do not go to classes or work for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever. For students living in the residence halls, isolation meals can be arranged by filling out the form on dining services website or by calling 715-425-4444 and asking for Dining Services.

UWRF will have two seasonal influenza vaccine clinics on campus this fall:

• For UWRF students:
  Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016 from 12-2:00 p.m. in the Apple River Room in the University Center (provided in collaboration with Pierce County Public Health Department). The cost for flu shots at this campus clinic will be free for students and $32 for non-students. Pierce County Public Health will be able to bill some insurance companies, so students are encouraged to bring their insurance cards.
• For UWRF faculty and staff:
  Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016 from 11:00 a.m-1:30 p.m. in the Wind River Room 232 in the University Center (provided in collaboration with Vibrant Health Family Clinics). Vibrant Health Family Clinics are providers for most of the UWRF employee insurance plans (Healthpartners, WEA, Humana) but are not providers for the WPS State A claim will be filed with your health insurance, but must present a valid health insurance card.  If you have any questions about benefits you should contact your insurance plan directly.  The cost for flu shots at this campus clinic if you do not have health insurance coverage, if you are not covered by one of the UWRF employee insurance plans, or you are covered by WPS State plan, is $35 (check or cash only).