(EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been changed to correctly reflect the date of the flu shot clinics. There are no clinics today as this article originally reported.)
Free flu shots are available to UNMC employees at the following open clinics:
- Nov. 3 — 7 to 9 a.m. in Private Dining Room B and 1 to 3 p.m. in Storz Pavilion, Rooms 6 and 7;
- Nov. 11 — 7 to 9 a.m. in Private Dining Room C; and
- Nov. 12 — 7 to 9 a.m. in Private Dining Room B.
As always, vaccination is encouraged for everyone unless it is contraindicated such as children younger than 6 months of age or those with allergies to eggs.
Vaccination is recommended for high-risk patients, health care workers (HCWs) who care for high-risk patients and people who live with or care for patients at high risk (High risk people are those greater than 65 years of age; children aged six months to 4 years; pregnant women; persons of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, and caregivers of children aged 0-59 months.
Since a vaccine shortage is not anticipated this year, the tiered system used in previous years is not necessary. However, if unforeseen circumstances develop, appropriate actions will be taken to ensure vaccine delivery to high risk persons. As in previous years, vaccine is provided free of charge to all employees.
Vaccination clinics for off-site departments will be scheduled by Employee Health, and departments will be notified of clinic dates and times. UNMC student vaccination clinics will be scheduled by Student Health, and students will be notified via e-mail of the clinic dates and times.
Because the vaccine viruses are initially grown in embryonic hen’s eggs, the vaccine may contain small amounts of egg protein.
Therefore, persons with allergic reactions to eggs should not receive vaccine. Persons with acute febrile illness should not receive vaccine until their symptoms have abated. The vaccine is approximately 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing influenza illness and has been shown to be cost effective.
The CDC recommends that flu vaccine should be administered to any person who wishes to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza. The vaccine can be administered to children as young as age 6 months.Information regarding influenza, influenza vaccine, and influenza treatment can be found at:
For more information, contact The Nebraska Medical Center Department of Pharmacy at 559-6041 or the Department of Healthcare Epidemiology at 559-5276.