College Students

Many people think college students don’t need to get vaccinated—after all, college-age students are not typically considered to be at high risk. It’s important to remind your college-age patients and their parents that the flu usually spreads from person to person via coughing or sneezing.¹ When people are living in very close quarters—such as in college dormitories—the conditions become perfect for spreading the flu.

The Word Is Out. Pass It On.

The CDC reports that the single best way to protect against influenza is to get a flu vaccination each year.¹ While the best time for college students to get vaccinated is October or November, getting vaccinated in December or even later can still be beneficial since most influenza activity occurs in January or even later.¹

Recommend immunization against influenza to college students and others living in close quarters who want to reduce their risk of getting the flu.

REFERENCES:

CDC Website. Fact sheet: Influenza symptoms, protection, and what to do if you get sick. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms.htm. Accessed September 3, 2007.

Important Safety Information

Afluria^® is indicated for active immunization of persons 18 years of age and older against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B present in the vaccine. The indication is based on the immune response elicited by Afluria^®; no controlled clinical studies have demonstrated a decrease in influenza disease after vaccination with Afluria^®.

Afluria^® should not be administered to individuals with hypersensitivity to eggs or chicken protein or other components of Afluria^®, or to anyone who has had a life-threatening reaction to previous influenza vaccination. The most common injection-site adverse reactions were tenderness, pain, redness, and swelling. The most common systemic adverse reactions were headache, malaise, and muscle aches.

Vaccination with Afluria^® may not protect all individuals. Immunocompromised persons may have a diminished immune response. If Guillain-Barré syndrome has occurred within 6 weeks of receipt of prior influenza vaccine, the decision to give Afluria^® should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks.

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