The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will be hosting a flu clinic to provide immunizations for the H1N1 (swine) flu in the very near future. Both the flu mist nasal spray and the injectible vaccines have been ordered, and we are waiting arrival of our shipment from the Tennessee Department of Health. The flu vaccinations will be available – at no charge – to students, faculty, staff, and their families. The flu clinic will be held at TRECS, and we will notify you of the specific date(s) once we receive delivery of the H1N1 vaccines.
We are hoping to provide both the flu mist and the injectible vaccine at the same time, but availability of the vaccines may require us to hold two clinics. The flu mist can be provided only to healthy, non-pregnant individuals between the ages of 2 and 49 years old; those age 50 or over are not eligible to take the flu mist and can receive only the injectible vaccine. Individuals between the ages of 2 and 49 can choose which vaccine they wish to receive.
The 2009 H1N1 flu vaccines are being produced using the same technology as seasonal flu vaccines, and they are expected to have a similar safety profile. Seasonal flu vaccines have a very good safety record, and the H1N1 vaccines should have comparable results. More information about H1N1 flu vaccines can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_safety_qa.htm.
Again, we will provide more information as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, please contact me if you have questions or concerns.
Jim Boyle
Director, Student Health Service