Influenza (Flu)

Flu shots have arrived and are available for students!!!

Rutgers University Health Services-New Brunswick/Piscataway recommends that all students in the following categories obtain a flu shot:

• Those with chronic respiratory problems including asthma, reactive airway disease, and recurrent bronchitis
• Those with other chronic medical illnesses such as diabetes
• Those who wish to decrease their risk of catching the flu

This year, due to the high cost of the immunization, we will not be offering FluMist (the nasal vaccine). 

Note - this flu shot protects against the "ordinary" flu (which typically kills 30,000-40,000 Americans per year).  It offers NO protection against Bird (Avian) Flu.

For more information on Avian Flu, visit the Center for Disease Control's Avian flu webpage

How Do I Get immunized?

Students should call one of the 3 New Brunswick/Piscataway health centers for an appointment.

• Hurtado Health Center - College Ave Campus
• Busch-Livingston Health Center - Livingston Campus
• Willets Health Center - Douglass Campus 

Faculty/Staff will get information on how to get immunized in their Pay Stubs and the Human Resource Digest.

Did you know ... ?

• Did you know that last flu season RHS had over 525 student visits for flu and flu-like illnesses?
  And, of course, many students who had the flu did not seek medical attention at RHS.
  
• Since there is no good test to know how many of these actually had the flu, it is impossible to know how many could have been prevented by a flu shot, but certainly quite a few.
  
• Should I get the Flu Shot?

Last Modified 09/26/2007