FIGHTING THE FLU

Four flu vaccine clinics set at ECU this fall

More than 750 people took a shot to the arm Oct. 8 during the first of four flu vaccination clinics scheduled at East Carolina University this fall.

The clinics are part of a campaign to help ECU’s Division of Health Sciences achieve a 95 percent vaccination rate – the level needed to guarantee “community immunity” for the campus.

“Even if you are not in a clinic, you are likely interacting – over lunch, in meetings, or in our classrooms – with someone who is,” Vice Chancellor Phyllis Horns wrote in an email launching this year’s prevention program. “My goal is to protect as many people as possible in our community.”

Pharmacy student Kyrstian Young, right, gives a flu shot to Renee Spain

All faculty, staff and students can receive a flu shot with banner ID and proof of health insurance. The co-pay will be waived for anyone with insurance. The cost for anyone uninsured is $15.

Three more on-campus clinics are scheduled this fall, including one on east campus in the Mendenhall Student Center. Children and spouses of ECU employees may also be vaccinated during the clinics. Pediatric nurses will be available at each of the ECU flu shot clinics between 2-4 p.m.

There is a process in place for workers or learners who demonstrate that an exemption is warranted based on a medical contraindication or a sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance. These requests will be thoroughly reviewed before an exemption is granted.

For more information on the ECU Health Sciences vaccination program, visit http://www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/cipp/ or email questions to fluvaccine@ecu.edu.