Flu activity is currently low, but historically, flu season can extend into March and April. Several cases of influenza have occurred recently on college campuses. Last year there was an increase in the number of flu cases right after spring break, so this year Oregon Public Health advises people to take precautions. Keep in mind that many people under age 25 do not have immunity to H1N1 flu, so it’s important for this age group to be vaccinated if they already have not done so.
You can locate public clinic locations for H1N1 vaccine on the following Web site or by calling the flu hotline, 1-800-978-3040: http://flu.oregon.gov/pages/vaccinelocations.aspx.
We appreciate everyone’s efforts to prevent spread of the flu. Every covered cough or sneeze, every minute spent washing your hands, every pump of hand-sanitizer, and every day spent at home when you are sick helps state government sustain service delivery to Oregonians. Thank you again for your diligence. Let’s keep it up.
Ed Ray
President, Oregon State University
Web resources
Oregon’s main flu site: http://flu.oregon.gov/
Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
PEBB: http://oregon.gov/das/pebb