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With fall semester underway and illnesses already surfacing on campus, health officials are urging students to protect themselves from the flu. Dr. Sojib Zaman, a professor in JMU’s Health Sciences department, emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated early.
“Taking the vaccine now gives your body time to build immunity before the flu spreads widely,” Zaman explained.
The university health center has seen an uptick in students seeking tests for seasonal symptoms. National data underscores the risk: the CDC reported that last year’s flu season led to the highest number of hospitalizations in more than a decade.
Virginia alone recorded approximately 21,000 cases of Flu B, straining hospitals across the state, Zaman noted.
He added that prevention goes beyond the vaccine. “Wash your hands often, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and wear a mask in crowded spaces,” Zaman advised. “These simple steps make a big difference.”
SOURCE: WHSV3