Small supply of flu vaccine available for qualifying students/faculty/staff

Wednesday, December 8, 2004, By News Staff

Small supply of flu vaccine available for qualifyingstudents/faculty/staffDecember 08, 2004

Syracuse University Health Services has received 100 doses ofinjectable influenza vaccine from the Onondaga County Health Department. The manufacturer is Aventis Pasteur; this announcement has norelationship to national news of impending shipments of vaccine fromother countries.

Health Services will make these doses of flu vaccine available to SUstudents, faculty, and staff with qualifying chronic medical conditions. Because of the vaccine shortage this year, national and local healthauthorities continue to mandate that vaccine be given only to personswith “high risk” health conditions, defined by CDC guidelines as:

  • People who are 65 years of age and older.
  • People 2 years old or older who have an underlying, long-termillness, including heart or lung disease; metabolic disease, includingdiabetes; kidney disease; a blood disorder; or a weakened immune system,including HIV/AIDS.
  • Women who will be pregnant during this flu season. It is HealthServices policy that pregnant women desiring flu vaccination must have aletter from their obstetrician approving administration of the vaccine.
  • People who live in nursing homes or other chronic-care places.
  • People who are 6 months to 18 years of age, and take aspirindaily.
  • Health-care workers who take care of patients.
  • People who have or take care of a baby under 6 months old.

    Students, faculty and staff who meet one of the above criteria and whodesire flu vaccine must schedule an appointment by calling 443-4709during the following times: Today, Dec. 8, from 1-4 p.m., or Thursday,Dec. 9, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The vaccine will be administered at HealthServices on two dates: Friday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; andMonday, Dec. 13, by appointment only.

    The cost for vaccination will be $15 for students and $20 for facultyand staff, which must be paid at the time of service by cash or checkmade out to Syracuse University Health Services. Students can also applythe charge to their Bursar account. Health Services can also submit thevaccine charge directly to the insurance company for students with aUniversity-sponsored health insurance plan.