Nursing students give flu shot to Texas A&M Employees

Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Nursing students recently partnered with Scott & White Clinic to provide the flu vaccine for Texas A&M University employees and families. Forty-eight student nurses volunteered and administered either the flu shot or FluMist® to approximately 1,400 people.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The influenza virus can be spread by coughing, sneezing or nasal secretions. The best way to prevent it is with an annual flu vaccine.

While everyone should get a vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important for those with high risk of serious flu-related complications. Flu vaccines are highly recommended for the following:

• Pregnant women
•  Children younger than age 5, especially younger than 2
•  People 50 and older
•  Individuals with certain chronic medical conditions
•  Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• Caregivers or residents of those at high risk for complications from flu, including health care workers, household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu, and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months