COLUMBIA — Columbia College and MU will offer vaccinations for H1N1 flu virus in the fall, representatives of both schools said. “We are following the guidelines and recommendations from the CDC and checking updates daily,” said Faye Burchard, dean of Campus Life at Columbia College.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that young adults age 19 through 24 receive the H1N1 vaccine because they often live, work and study in close proximity, and they are in contact with more people on a daily basis.
Christian Basi, spokesperson for MU, said the Student Health Center has seen 14 students with flu-like symptoms and has received phone calls from an additional 34 students since Aug. 24. Basi said vaccinations, which are not expected to be available until late October, will be free for students.
The CDC recommends that if students experience any flu-like symptoms to stay home and remain isolated. Information on those most susceptible to the H1N1 virus and precautionary steps to take can be found on the CDC Web site.
The CDC says the seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the novel H1N1 flu virus, so students should plan to take both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 shot as it becomes available.
More information on flu updates can be found at flu.gov.