Fight the flu this fall | Health

If you ask Florida Tech students what their favorite season is, you might get different answers – it could be fall because the leaves change color, or spring because the weather gets warmer, or maybe even that Winter because the seasons change I miss the snow from home.

Regardless of the answer, everyone has a favorite time of year – except flu season.

According to the World Health Organization, there are approximately one billion cases of seasonal flu each year. Influenza, also known as the “flu,” is a viral illness, like the common cold or even COVID-19.

“The peak of flu season in Florida is typically between December and February, which is why we recommend flu vaccination in early fall,” said nurse and university medical liaison Brittany Collins via email.

To combat the spread of the flu, Holzer Health Center and Student Wellness will host a fall flu shot drive on October 2nd and 10th from 9 a.m. to noon at their new location in the Sunrise Center.

The health center, previously located at the corner of Country Club Road and University Boulevard, moved this fall to its new location on the north end of the second floor at Sunrise Center.

All students, faculty and staff can get a flu shot. The health center requires everyone to bring their Florida Tech ID card, completed consent form and a printed copy of their insurance card to get their flu shot. You can find the consent form here or via the QR code on the flyer below.

The health center's mission is to “provide optimal health care, promote lifelong healthy habits and support students in their academic endeavors,” according to its website.

“We recommend following CDC flu prevention strategies, which include getting vaccinated against flu, avoiding close contact with sick people, and seeking medical care if you develop flu-like symptoms,” Collins said via email.

To learn more about the flu shot, visit their website.