National Health Observance: August is National Immunization Month

Flu Season is coming again!

It's National Immunization Month, and that reminds us that in just a few short months, it will be flu season again! At USM, we strongly encourage all our students, faculty and staff to protect themselves from the flu, or influenza as it is officially known, by getting a flu vaccination each year. Vaccination is especially important for young children and adults with risk factors for influenza complications, such as asthma, heart or kidney disease and diabetes, for health-care personnel and for women who might be pregnant during flu season.

Once again, in the fall, University Health and Counseling Services will be offering a series of clinics to provide vaccinations. They will announce the dates later on through the USM listserv, on their website www.usm.maine.edu/health/ and with posters around campus .

The clinics are open to USM faculty, staff and retirees. Students are offered flu vaccines during our regular office hours and at special clinics at the law school and LAC.

For more information about National Immunization Month, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/default.htm. And for more information about influenza and influenza vaccination, click on www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm.