UAF boosts health of Nanook nation with free flu shots

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU/KTVF) - As fall sets in the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) has been working to boost health and safety for the Nanook nation with free flu vaccines.

“Every year, the Student Health and Counseling Center offers seasonal influenza vaccination to all of the student body, faculty, their staff,” said Dr. Kathy Pena, the associate director for medical services at UAF. She explained that UAF is offering the multivalent Fluzone vaccine, which is for the general population, as well as the high dose Fluzone vaccine for those over 65 or deemed to be at high risk.

She said the university offers the vaccines because, “seasonal influenza is one of the leading causes of deaths across the population yearly.”

While younger folks such as college students can usually handle the virus without serious complications, according to Pena, “in older folks, it exacerbates other chronic conditions and puts them at risk.” By offering the shots to staff, students and faculty, “vaccinating younger folks is helping protect the older people in their lives or the people at risk,” she explained.

While university connected individuals can receive these vaccines elsewhere, such as their primary physician or a pharmacy, “We want to make it easy for folks. The more folks vaccinated, the better health for the entire, you know, the entire university community,” Pena said.

Robyne, a resident of Fairbanks, who was volunteering at the university, said she received both a flu and covid vaccine. “I think it’s something you need to do every fall to get ready for the flu season, to get ready for when people are close together indoors,” she said.

She called the availability of an on-campus vaccination “really convenient for the students because it’s right here in the Wood Center. But faculty and staff also, you know, finding the time to get away from the job, to get to the doctor or the pharmacy.”

The vaccines were provided by the Student Health and Counseling Center at UAF at various locations through Oct. 16.

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