Today@Sam Article

Flu Shots Still Available In Student Health Center

Jan. 30, 2020
SHSU Media Contact: Emily Binetti

Don’t delay that flu shot any longer, health experts are urging. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 15 million people in the U.S. have gotten sick with flu and more than 8,000 people have died from their infection.

“Many believe the flu season ended in December but that’s not the case,” said Erica Bumpurs, SHSU Student Health Center director. “In our center, flu season is just now getting started. What we are seeing is an increase in flu diagnoses in the current Spring semester.”

A flu shot is the best way to protect against getting the flu, and it's still not too late to be vaccinated this season. The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease.

“We’ve given out about 3,400 flu vaccinations to the campus community so far, but we still have at least 600 left. We want to make sure everyone on campus is vaccinated,” Bumpurs said.

Flu vaccinations are free to SHSU students and are available without appointment by visiting the Student Health Center during regular business hours.

Additionally, on Tuesday Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., free flu vaccinations will be available to anyone from the campus community with a current Bearkat OneCard in room 282 of the Student Health Center. If you already received a vaccine this flu season (Aug. 2019 to current date) you do not need an additional vaccine at this time. 

A further effective practice for fending off the flu virus is consistently washing your hands. You need to lather up and wash for at least 20 seconds to make this work, according to the CDC's tips for proper hand-washing.    

- END -

This page maintained by SHSU's Communications Office:

Director of Content Communications: Emily Binetti

Asst. Director Content & Social Media: Emilee White

Communications Manager: Mikah Boyd
Telephone: 936.294.1837

Communications Specialist: Campbell Atkins
Telephone: 936.294.2638

Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu