Shoreline will host a flu immunization clinic from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 21, in Room 9202 PUB. Immunizations will be available by the Seattle Visiting Nurse Association for students, faculty, and staff.

The association can bill most major health insurance plans – Regence, Premera, Group Health, United Healthcare, Molina, Community Health plan, Coordinated Care, and Aetna – for the flu immunizations. They do not bill Cigna, Kaiser, or TriCare. In order to process the billing, those receiving a flu shot must complete a patient consent form, which includes name, address, date of birth, and individual insurance subscriber number.

For those without insurance, the shots are $28, which can be paid in cash or check. Credit or debit cards are not accepted.

More information about vaccinations is available on this flyer and at www.cdc.gov/flu.

According to health officials, in addition to vaccination, personal preventative measures are among the most effective in preventing getting and spreading diseases such as the flu. Recommendations include:

• Practice good hygiene
  • Wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaners. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or use your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Know the signs and symptoms
  • Look for signs of fever, such as feeling very warm, a flushed appearance, and sweating or shivering. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius.

Ongoing efforts by the college to promote flu awareness and health include:

• Posting informational posters about hand-washing and germ-containment practices in all restrooms
• Keeping restrooms well-stocked with soap and paper towels
• Using good custodial practices, including:
  • Complete restroom cleaning
  • Disinfectant wipe-downs of door handles
  • Spray disinfectant for commonly touched surfaces

The college website has additional information about measures in place regarding infectious diseases.