Flu season has hit exceptionally hard this year, and the New School community hasn’t been immune. According to the Director of Medical Services, Jayne Jordan, about 150 New School students visited SHS for immunization since the fall. Out of those visits, 137 students came in with flu symptoms and 20 were confirmed cases.

According to the NYC Department of Health, there have been 25,304 laboratory-confirmed cases since Jan. 27 in New York City as a whole. Nationwide, 84 children have died as a result of the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the vaccine for the more serious flu viruses, Type A and B, has been shown to be only 36% effective, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still encourage people to get vaccinated to prevent the flu from spreading further.

There are currently six vaccine clinics at The New School: three located at the Student Health Services and one at Stuyvesant Park, Loeb Hall and 20th Street Residence. Throughout fall and spring semester, there were nine clinics offered to students due to high concerns regarding the spread and impact of the flu.

Flu vaccine shots cost $15 and are billed to students’ bursar account. Due to high demand for flu shots this February, all New School students have access to the Student Health Services with or without the insurance plan. “Everyone has an opportunity to be seen,” Janye Jordan told the Free Press. Whether you are feeling ill or not, it is best to get vaccinated.

For those with flu symptoms, the medical center also supplies Tamiflu, an antiviral drug that speeds up the recovery process. Flu shots are also available at pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. The Student Health Services is open from 9-5pm and vaccines are by appointment only.

Illustration by Ashlie Juarbe