As flu season approaches, Brock students are encouraged to take steps to protect themselves and their community this winter.

The imminent arrival of flu season, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, have created conditions for increased infection and sickness. However, public health officials and Brock’s Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre (SWAC) believe these infections can be tampered by following public health guidelines, which include getting the annual flu vaccine.

To do this, students are asked to make appointments at local pharmacies or with their family doctor.

Julie Fennell, SWAC’s Health Promotion Educator, said the flu shot allows students to protect themselves as well as the health of those around them.

“Students have a huge role to play in preventing COVID-19 in their community and also preventing themselves from getting sick with the flu,” said Fennell. “They need to remember that their community is more than just their roommates and friends; it’s the elderly people they see in the grocery store, or someone with a compromised immune system they sit next to on the bus.”

Though the flu shot is not a new way to combat sickness, the vaccine itself is different each year because the virus changes frequently.

International students and students who are at high risk can contact Student Health Services at immunizationRN@brocku.ca or call 289-968-983 to book an appointment to get a flu shot.

Other students and members of the Brock community with a valid OHIP card can call the campus pharmacy at 905-688-8800 or any other local pharmacies to book an appointment.

In addition to the flu vaccine, all members of the Brock community are reminded to:

• Wash their hands often
• Cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing
• Avoid touching their face
• Stay at home if they are feeling sick; and
• Clean and disinfect surface and shared items

To learn more about Brock’s response to flu season, contact Whalen at hwhalen@brocku.ca