Protect Yourself, Others with Free Flu Shot

The last time Beth Doyle caught the flu, she lay in bed for 10 days with fever and nausea. She was so fatigued she could barely rouse herself for juice or toast.

"Every fiber in my body hurt," she said. "I probably should have gone to the hospital, it was so bad."

To protect herself against the flu this year, Doyle marked her calendar for the Oct. 15 flu clinic in Perkins Library, part of Duke's annual flu vaccination campaign.

"I know now that the flu is not to be messed with," said Doyle, the Leona B. Carpenter Senior Conservator at Duke Libraries.

Beginning Sept. 18 through the spring, Duke staff and faculty can receive free influenza vaccinations with a valid DukeCard. In addition to offering the vaccination daily at the Employee Occupational Health and Wellness office in the lower level of Duke Clinic, Duke will provide shots at various locations during October, including the American Tobacco Campus, Lilly Library and Fuqua School of Business. The full schedule is available at duke.edu/flu.

"Influenza is highly contagious, but vaccination is our best, most effective method of preventing the illness," said Carol Epling, director of Employee Occupational Health and Wellness.

Duke's level of vaccination among all Duke University and Duke University Health System employees has dramatically increased from under 50 percent in 2008 to 82 percent last year.  Much of this increase has come from increased emphasis on vaccination among healthcare workers to protect patients. Duke University Health System employees participated in a 24-hour "flu blitz" on Sept. 18 to vaccinate as many employees as possible. Vaccination against the flu is now a condition of employment in the health system.

Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. in January or February, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May.

This year's flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most cases of influenza during the year.

Epling said getting vaccinated each year provides the best protection against influenza throughout flu season.

"Duke makes it free and convenient to get a flu shot," Epling said. "Taking a few minutes to get vaccinated is an easy way to protect your health, your sick time, your family and everyone around you."