Because of a supply shortage, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee flu shot clinics scheduled for Nov. 7 and 8 were cancelled.

Maxim Health Systems, the vendor that has a contract with UWM, canceled its clinics with the campus and other community clinics.

The total influenza vaccine supply for the country, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is expected to be over 80 million doses. This greatly exceeds last year's supply of 61 million doses. Last year, due to a national shortage, the campus flu clinics were canceled as well.

About 57 million doses were distributed by the end of October, 71 million doses were distributed as of Nov. 12 and 81 million to 83 million doses or more are expected to be distributed by the end of November, according to the CDC.

The flu vaccine is still available through the Norris Health Center. However, with a limited supply, Norris opens its clinics and appointments to high-risk individuals first, as guided by CDC guidelines.

High-risk individuals include students with chronic heart or lung conditions, people in need of regular medical care, pregnant women, those above the age of 50, anyone with respiratory problems and any person who has come in contact with someone in a high-risk group.

Because this is not a year that there is a major national shortage and Aurora Visiting Nurses Association continues to hold its clinics in the area, students, faculty and staff should be able to receive a shot at this time. The cost is $25, or free to those covered under Medicare or Medicaid.

“I would advise people to do this soon, because with all the Maxim clinics cancelled, it might eventually put a lot of pressure on Aurora’s system,” said Julia Zimmer Bonner, Norris Health Center director.

Bonner said that there is little worry about flu outbreaks on campus this year, as only five to 20 percent of people get influenza annually.

“The people who run into serious complications are those in the high-risk group, and that is why we target them for vaccines,” she said.

According to Bonner, preventing the flu is not only getting a vaccine but also about healthy habits, including washing hands and covering your mouth when you cough.

“Since a person can be contagious a day before they get symptoms, having good health habits at all times is the best strategy within a community,” she said.

Influenza is caused by a virus that infects the respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs). Unlike many other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu causes severe illness and life-threatening complications in some people.

Symptoms of flu include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches.

If Norris still has vaccine as of Nov. 18, its Web site will be updated and appointments will be open for all students.

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