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Get Vaccinated Before Flu Season Peaks

Duke employees and students are encouraged to get the free shot

Milton Hux, who works in the Duke Hospital cafeteria, receives his flu shot this year.
Milton Hux, who works in the Duke Hospital cafeteria, receives his flu shot this year.

While North Carolina reports minimum flu activity across the state at this time, Duke is encouraging employees and students to get their free flu shot before viruses spread.

By the end of October, flu activity remained low across the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which recommends yearly vaccination against the flu for everyone 6 months and older. The CDC also recommends individuals get vaccinated before flu activity begins.

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“Prime your immune system so it can respond to the flu when you’re challenged by an exposure to it,” said Carol Epling, director of Duke Employee Occupational Health & Wellness (EOHW). “The longer you wait, the more you’re going to get into flu season, and you may be exposed before you get the vaccine.”

During the first 24 hours of Duke’s “Fight the Flu” campaign on Sept. 17, 13,128 Duke University Health System employees were vaccinated. A total of 29,400 Duke employees have received their flu shot so far. The flu shot is a condition of employment in the Health System.

Epling said it’s not too late to get a flu shot because the season peaks between December and February, however she said the vaccine takes a few weeks to become effective.

“Be mindful,” she said. “Caring for ourselves properly will ensure we take care of everyone else properly.”

Duke employees can receive their free flu shot by visiting the EOHW clinic, located in the basement-level Red Zone in Duke Clinic. No appointment is necessary. The clinic is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is closed from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. EOHW will continue vaccinations until the spring, when circulation of the flu slows down.

Duke students can contact the Student Health Center at (919) 681-9355 to arrange an appointment with the immunization nurse.

Flu symptoms can include a 100F or higher fever or feeling feverish, a cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

According to the CDC, you should take these steps to stay healthy or keep others healthy during flu season, which usually peaks between December and February:

  • Stay home when you’re sick, until you have been fever free without medication for at least 24 hours
  • Wash hands frequently, preferably with soap and water
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then discard the tissue promptly