At their first campus-wide flu vaccination clinic of the year, clinical staff from MIT Medical administered nearly 3,000 flu shots in six hours — a new one-day record for MIT.
Despite the large volume of patients at the Sept. 30 clinic in the Student Center, the process was efficient, and wait times were minimal. “People saw the long line and were hesitant to wait, but when they saw how quickly it moved, they happily stayed to get their shot,” said Debbie Friscino, director of operations at MIT Medical.
“They said, ‘You’ll be out of here in five minutes,’ and I was!” said Joseph M. Sussman, the JR East Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering Systems.
There are several more free walk-in flu clinics scheduled this fall, each of which targets a specific group, including children and families, employees and students. The next clinic, which is for MIT students only, will take place on Thursday, Oct. 20 from noon to 4 p.m. in the Student Center.
Flu shots at MIT are free for MIT students, employees, retirees and MIT Medical patients, but bring your MIT ID or insurance card with you. A full schedule of campus clinics, as well as information on flu prevention and treatment, is available on MIT’s Flu Central website.
The 2011-2012 flu vaccine protects against three different flu viruses: an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus, and the H1N1 virus. Only one shot is required for most people, though children between 6 months and 9 years old will need two doses, spaced a month apart, if this is the first time they are receiving a flu vaccination. Even if you got a flu vaccination last year, you should still get one this year.
Despite the large volume of patients at the Sept. 30 clinic in the Student Center, the process was efficient, and wait times were minimal. “People saw the long line and were hesitant to wait, but when they saw how quickly it moved, they happily stayed to get their shot,” said Debbie Friscino, director of operations at MIT Medical.
“They said, ‘You’ll be out of here in five minutes,’ and I was!” said Joseph M. Sussman, the JR East Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering Systems.
There are several more free walk-in flu clinics scheduled this fall, each of which targets a specific group, including children and families, employees and students. The next clinic, which is for MIT students only, will take place on Thursday, Oct. 20 from noon to 4 p.m. in the Student Center.
Flu shots at MIT are free for MIT students, employees, retirees and MIT Medical patients, but bring your MIT ID or insurance card with you. A full schedule of campus clinics, as well as information on flu prevention and treatment, is available on MIT’s Flu Central website.
The 2011-2012 flu vaccine protects against three different flu viruses: an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus, and the H1N1 virus. Only one shot is required for most people, though children between 6 months and 9 years old will need two doses, spaced a month apart, if this is the first time they are receiving a flu vaccination. Even if you got a flu vaccination last year, you should still get one this year.
