As part of continued efforts to turn the University of Colorado at Boulder into a "No Flu Zone," the Wardenburg Health Center will offer flu shots to students, faculty and staff during daylong clinics on Thursday, Oct. 25, and Friday, Oct. 26.
Students also will be able to get meningitis shots. Flu shots will be available for $25 and meningitis shots for $125. The clinics will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the CU-Boulder Student Recreation Center.
Payment by check, credit card or cash will be accepted. The shots are free to those who carry the Student Gold Health Insurance.
Health-care experts say the same measures that work for preventing seasonal flu also apply to preventing the spread of stronger flu strains and staph infections. As in past years, Wardenburg is promoting hand washing and other good health practices and will distribute cold-care kits to students.
"We recommend that students, faculty and staff get immunized, wash their hands frequently, cover their nose and mouth while coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose and do other things like drink lots of fluids to keep from getting sick in the crucial end-of-the-semester period," said Sandra Sonoda, Wardenburg's infectious disease expert.
Last year, CU-Boulder focused on educating the campus about pandemic flu following avian flu outbreaks in other parts of the world. As a result, the campus has a comprehensive pandemic flu response plan in place. This year, because of media reports about the spread of deadly, drug-resistant staph infections, administrators plan to raise awareness about such infections and what the campus community can do to avoid them.
CU-Boulder last year installed 90 dispensers in 17 buildings in first-floor bathrooms and near main entrances so that hand sanitizer is available in high-traffic areas. This year, seasonal flu prevention tips will be promoted again with posters in residence halls and around campus, urging people to:
o Get a seasonal flu shot, which could help protect people with weakened immune systems and chronic illnesses.
o Wash hands frequently, use a paper towel to turn off faucets and use the towel to open the bathroom door.
o Use a gel hand sanitizer between hand washings to help prevent the spread of germs from hands to eyes, nose or mouth at the height of flu season when germs are everywhere.
o Practice "good respiratory etiquette." Sneeze or cough into tissues or shirtsleeves to prevent the spread of airborne germs.
o Avoid close contact with people who are sick; keep your distance or stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading germs.
For general information on student health, check the Wardenburg Web site at . Students who are ill should call the Telephone Advice Nurse at (303) 492-3435. Wardenburg officials say students should follow recommended flu prevention steps, which can be found at: .
The American College Health Association supports meningitis vaccination for college-age adults, especially those living in residence halls. People living in close quarters appear to be more likely to contract meningococcal meningitis, often called bacterial meningitis, which can be fatal.
The disease is an inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord and its accompanying bloodstream infections. It is rare but potentially fatal. Symptoms include fever, severe sudden headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, rash and lethargy.
For more information about meningitis, go to or call the Telephone Advice Nurse at (303) 492-3435.