By Kristen Phantazia Smith
The Razorback Reporter
Flu shots are now available for UA students, faculty and staff at the Pat Walker Health Center, officials said.
The start of the flu season can’t be officially pinned down to a specific date because of its unpredictability, but the sooner individuals can get flu shots the better, said Zac Brown, assistant director of communications for the Center. Flu season generally lasts through March.
Flu shots will aid in protecting students, but don’t guarantee a perfect bill of health, Brown said.
“I say protected loosely,” he said. “It’s not a sure thing that if you get the shot you won’t get the flu, but it can help to reduce the severity and length of it.”
Walk-in clinics will be open from 3 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Shots for insured individuals are covered in full by their health plan. This is true on campus, and if students, faculty or staff seek medical care off campus from a health-care and health services provider.
In the last two years the campus health center has seen fewer flu cases than in the previous year, Brown said.
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to take their health into their own hands and not solely depend on the flu shot to keep them healthy. Health officials recommend that persons should avoid contact with sick people, cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze and wash their hands and other surfaces often and effectively before touching their eyes, nose and mouth.