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Public Health NS encourages everyone to get the flu vaccine, but especially people at high risk of complications including the elderly, the young (six months to 5 years), indigenous peoples, pregnant women, anyone with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes and those who live with, or care for, individuals in the high risk groups.

Influenza spreads easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or having face-to-face contact. The virus can also spread when a person touches tiny droplets from a cough or sneeze and then touches their eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

The influenza vaccine is free to all students , staff & FacultyÌý , conveniently offered through HÂþ»­ University Health Services in the Dairy Building. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against flu. Others ways to help guard against getting the flu would be: Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after a sneeze or cough. When soap and water are not handy, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are an acceptable alternative; Cover your cough and sneeze; Limit touching eyes, nose and mouth; Do not share drinking glasses, or eating utensils, water bottles, mouth guards, or cosmetics
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It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against flu. Getting vaccinated by the end of Oct is ideal if possible before the flu season begins.
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The flu vaccine CANNOT give you the flu. Despite getting as flu shot SOME people might develop flu like symptoms because: reaction to the vaccine- a day or two ofÌý muscle aches & fever, a side effect of your body’s production of protective antibodies; it takes about two weeks for the flu shot to take full effect; if you are exposed to the influenza virus shortly before or during that period you may catch the flu; other illnesses such as the common cold , also produce some flu like symptoms; you may think you have the flu but you don’t.

Flu clinics will be held in Health Services from 9:00 a.m -1:00 p.m. beginning October 22