DAVID HARDEN/Arizona Daily Wildcat Nursing coordinator Carrie Torrington prepares to give a flu shot yesterday afternoon at the Campus Health Center. Flu shots are available Monday through Friday for $7.

Officials say all students should get vaccination

With the onset of the new semester and new year also comes an unpleasant visitor - the flu.

Officials at Campus Health Services, 1541 E. University Blvd., suggest that all students get flu shots, which will be offered for $7 until the end of January.

Carrie Torrington, nursing coordinator and immunization nurse at Campus Health, said flu season begins when students return from winter break and lasts until about spring break.

"The campus is a petri dish," said Lisette LeCorgne, a nurse practitioner with Campus Health. "One person sneezes and a lot of people are affected."

Students in a university setting are particularly susceptible to the influenza virus, Torrington said.

"Students are in crowded classrooms, live in crowded quarters and are easily exposed to the flu," she said. She mentioned students' eating and sleeping habits as other possible factors to contracting the virus.

In addition to the flu shot, Torrington offered other precautions that students can take to protect themselves from the flu - like washing their hands frequently.

"We touch our faces so much every day," LeCorgne added. "It's an easy way to get the flu. It's so simple to just wash your hands."

Torrington said the flu virus can originate in other parts of the country and make its way to campus. Winter starts earlier on the East coast, and students returning from that area after the holidays can bring the virus with them.

Although the health center is recommending shots for all students, Torrington said this year is not as bad as previous flu seasons. She said 1999 was particularly severe.

Campus Health Services began offering flu vaccinations in late October and will continue offering them until the end of January.

LeCorgne said she recommends students get their shots early.

"Once the flu is here, it's too late to get a vaccine," she said.

Students are fully immune to the virus two weeks after they receive the vaccination.

Campus Health Services offers vaccinations Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. On Wednesdays, vaccinations begin at 9 a.m.

No appointment is required, but students should arrive early.