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September 30, 2010

Flu shot clinics set

Seasonal flu shots will be provided through Nov. 23 at select Pittsburgh campus locations.

In addition, Falk Pharmacy will provide seasonal flu shots 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays through January on the second floor of the Falk Medical Building.

Unlike last year, when both a seasonal flu vaccine and an H1N1 flu vaccine were recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this year only one vaccine is necessary. The vaccine approved for this year protects against the H1N1 virus that circulated in 2009, as well as H3N2 and an influenza B virus.

CDC recommends the influenza vaccination for all people ages 6 months and older. Additional guidelines are provided by CDC at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-flu.pdf.

At all the flu clinics, Pitt faculty and staff with UPMC Health Plan coverage can receive a flu shot at no out-of-pocket cost; however, they must show their valid University and UPMC Health Plan ID cards. The claim for the flu shot will be forwarded directly to the insurance carrier by flu clinic administrators.

UPMC Health Plan members also can get a flu shot from a participating provider at no out-of-pocket cost.

If plan members go to a clinic or pharmacy that is not a UPMC Health Plan participant, they will need to pay for the flu shot at the time of service and file a claim for reimbursement. Forms can be accessed at www.hr.pitt.edu/benefits/pdf/COM-FluReimbursementForm.pdf.

Pitt flu shot clinics will be held:

Oct. 7, 402 Salk Hall, 1-5 p.m.

Oct. 8, Student Health Service, Suite 500, Medical Arts Building, 10 a.m.-2 p.m

Oct. 11, Dining Room A, William Pitt Union, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Oct. 20, Ballroom/Assembly Room, WPU, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Oct. 22, 341 Craig Hall, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Oct. 25, 102 Benedum Hall, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Nov. 1, Posvar Hall Galleria, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Nov. 23, 1228 Cathedral of Learning, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

For more information, call Falk Pharmacy Community Care, 412/647-4003, or Student Health Service, 412/383-1800, www.studhlth.pitt.edu.

Flu shot clinics also are scheduled for the regional campuses and the Mechanicsburg satellite location.

Mechanicsburg has a clinic scheduled for Oct. 5 in Room 2 of the Computer Building, noon-2 p.m.

Pitt-Bradford has a clinic scheduled for Oct. 6 in Frame-Westerberg Commons Rooms A&B, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Pitt-Greensburg has a clinic scheduled for Oct. 13 at 214 Chambers Hall, 2-5 p.m.

Pitt-Titusville is offering flu shots by appointment Oct. 11 in 219 Student Union, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.

A clinic already has been held at the Johnstown campus.

Flu season typically runs from December through March but can start as early as November, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Protection against influenza virus infection takes about two weeks after vaccination to develop fully in the body.

In a typical year, seasonal influenza causes 36,000 deaths in the United States and more than 100,000 hospitalizations, CDC officials say. More information is available at www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/1011season.htm.

—Peter Hart

Filed under: Feature,Volume 43 Issue 3

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