Shortage of Flu Vaccine Forces Cancellation of Clinic At UNH

Contact: Denise Hart
603-862-1426
UNH Media Relations

Oct. 25, 2004



DURHAM, N.H. – The University of New Hampshire’s Health Services has cancelled its Nov. 3 Flu Clinic due to a shortage of the vaccine.“Health Services will have the vaccine available for higher-risk students, faculty, and staff,” says Kevin Charles, assistant vice president for student and academic services and director of Health Services. “Higher risk means those members of the university community who meet the guidelines for receiving priority as published by the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC).”

In the past, the CDC has recommended that healthy college students get vaccinated due to close living conditions; however, the guidelines have been revised due to the shortage to funnel all available supplies to higher risk populations.

Higher-risk individuals should call the Health Services appointment line at 862-2856 to make an appointment to receive the vaccine. The criteria are online at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/0405shortage.htm.

In a pro-active measure, Health Services plans to provide members of the campus community with the latest information about how to prevent the spread of colds and flu and what to do if you happen to become sick. Self-help information is available online at:
Flu protection: http://www.unh.edu/health-services/pdf/FluProtection10-04.pdf
Self-care for the flu: http://www.unh.edu/health-services/pdf/SYMPTOMSANDSELFflu.pdf.

For more information, please contact either Charles at 603-862-1098 or Kathleen Grace-Bishop, associate director of Health Services at 603-862-3823.