Flu Prevention

• The flu shot, a Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (TIV), injected into the muscle of the upper arm, (or in babies over the age of 6 months, may be given in the upper thigh). The flu shot can be given to almost anyone, including healthy people, those with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women.
• The nasal spray, a weakened Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV). This vaccine is reserved for healthy people ages 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Both types of flu vaccines are very safe; neither the injectable (inactivated) vaccine nor the live attenuated (nasal spray) vaccine can cause influenza.

While everyone is advised to get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing them.

Children
Influenza vaccination is recommended for all children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday.

While children younger than 6 months old are at the highest risk for influenza complications, they are too young to get vaccinated. The best way to protect young children is to make sure their household members and caregivers are vaccinated.

Adults
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated against flu each year, including even the healthiest adults.

Special Populations
Some people are particularly advised to get vaccinated against flu. These include people with the following conditions or those in close contact with individuals who are at higher risk for complications from influenza:

• Pregnant women;
• People age 50 years of age and older;
• People of any age with chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, immuno-suppressing diseases, such as cancer, HIV, or rheumatological conditions, such as lupus;
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities;
• Household contacts of person at high risk for complications from influenza;
• Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children younger than 6 months of age;
• Healthcare workers.

People who should NOT be vaccinated include:

• Individuals who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs;
• Those who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past;
• People who have developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine; 
• Or those with a current moderate to severe illness with a fever. (In such circumstances, one should wait until recovered from the ailment before getting vaccinated.)

The Brooklyn College Health Clinic will be holding all-day vaccine clinics on Tuesday, November 23 and Wednesday, 24, 2010. However, students may continue to receive these services on other dates if they are unable to attend these dates, providing ample supplies remain available.

Flu Prevention
In addition to flu vaccination, the BC Health Clinic recommends that all faculty, staff, and students take the following flu/respiratory disease precautions:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick as well.
• Cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm or your upper shoulder, not into your hands.
• If using a tissue to your nose or mouth, immediately dispose of the used tissue in a wastebasket, & wash your hands.
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently. If soap and water is unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand gel.
• Avoid sharing food, drink, or utensils.

What do I do if I come down with a flu-like illness?
The majority of individuals who contract flu viruses will not need to seek care from a health care provider unless pregnant or sick with an underlying chronic medical condition, such as diabetes, cancer, asthma, heart or lung problems, or a weakened immune system. If you are in a high-risk category, contact your health care provider. Students should call the BC Health Clinic at 718 951-5580.

BC faculty, staff, and students who are ill with flu should remain at home for at least 24 hours after being fever-free (without the aid of medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or other drugs that lower temperature.)  A mild, lingering cough may occur, but barring any other flu symptoms, this cough should not prevent students from returning to class.

Not sure if you have flu or a cold? Check out the self-assessment tool and learn more about how to take care of yourself at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flu-symptoms/FU00013

For more information, on the flu and on flu vaccination, see: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

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