In response to severe influenza outbreaks in several states, University officials are launching a second mass immunization program for members of the University community.
"We decided, given the outbreaks nationwide, particularly in Colorado and Texas, that it would be wise to make a second concerted effort to reach out to people," said Daniel Silverman, director of University Health Services and Chief Medical Officer.
FluFest2 will take place from noon to 5 p.m. this Thursday, Dec. 5, in Dillon Gym.
As with the first FluFest held earlier this year, the University is subsidizing the cost of the vaccine to allow Health Services to offer low-cost immunizations. Students, staff and faculty can be immunized for $5 and the spouses and children of staff and faculty pay only $15.
Silverman said the federal Centers for Disease Control has warned that this winter could see one of the worst flu outbreaks in recent history. He said 200 or 300 students at the University of Colorado at Boulder came down with the flu before Thanksgiving.
"The good news is, we've seen very little at Princeton so far," Silverman said. "We had one case today. But people went home over the holidays, and possibly got exposed, so we're concerned something could possibly happen."
It is "very unlikely" that immunization could inadvertently result in flu-like symptoms, Silverman said, because the vaccine is an attenuated form of the virus, rather than a live one.
"People complain of some soreness or redness" at the site of the injection the next day, Silverman said, but not much else.
Silverman said that although normally healthy individuals can quickly recover, the symptoms of the flu are unpleasant enough to make immunization worthwhile.
"Real flu can really lay you low for several days," he said. "It's a cold, plus upper respiratory symptoms, cough, fever, muscle aches."
The original FluFest, which had 3,600 immunizations, brought a festive mix of music and entertainment to the Frist Campus Center. Silverman said the sequel will be more subdued.
"It's a less glamorous version," he said. "We will have Frisbees, which is important to point out, but we're really focusing more on the flu shots than on the festival this time."
After a mass email last week, Silverman said, "we had a good response — 130 or 140 people coming in for flu shots."
Because of the response, he said, University Provost Amy Gutmann was "very happy" to support his request for additional immunization subsidies.
Read More
Economics professor Kate Ho passes away after long battle with cancer
Devon RudolphProfessor Kate Ho made seminal contributions to the economics of modeling competition in the healthcare sector and taught well-loved courses in industrial organization.
Professor Kate Ho made seminal contributions to the economics of modeling competition in the healthcare sector and taught well-loved courses in industrial organization.
Pedestrian left in critical condition after traffic collision on Nassau Street
Luke GrippoThe pedestrian was struck by a westbound 2015 Ford Explorer around 11:32 p.m. The driver was identified in the press release as a 39-year-old Princeton resident who cooperated with officers upon their arrival.
The pedestrian was struck by a westbound 2015 Ford Explorer around 11:32 p.m. The driver was identified in the press release as a 39-year-old Princeton resident who cooperated with officers upon their arrival.
Senior class jacket abruptly changed following accusations of AI design
Vitus LarrieuFor more than a century, Princeton seniors have donned “beer jackets” to protect their clothes during Reunions and commencement celebrations, typically with elaborate designs chosen by a class-wide contest. Now, with a selection process marred by accusations of generative AI use, the Class of 2026 may have written its own spot in Princeton history.
For more than a century, Princeton seniors have donned “beer jackets” to protect their clothes during Reunions and commencement celebrations, typically with elaborate designs chosen by a class-wide contest. Now, with a selection process marred by accusations of generative AI use, the Class of 2026 may have written its own spot in Princeton history.