Feature Story

Health Center Today, October 20, 2009

Find Out How You Can Get a Free Flu Shot

By Carolyn Pennington

Up to 20 percent of the U.S. population develops seasonal influenza each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from its complications and about 36,000 people die.

Vaccination remains your best defense against the flu. Researchers at the Health Center, led by Dr. Janet McElhaney with the Center for Immunotherapy, are conducting two studies designed to help us better understand how the immune system responds to different manufacturer’s flu vaccines and the potential ways that we can make the current flu vaccines even more effective. (The seasonal flu vaccine will not protect people against the H1N1 influenza virus).

Standard flu vaccinations will be given as part of the study and monetary compensation will be provided. Call 860-679-3043 for more information and to see if you are eligible for either study.