Each year, the flu spreads rapidly across college campuses throughout the nation due to the constant close proximity of students and faculty.

The Grand Valley State University Family Health Center works to fight this disease by offering its students, staff and faculty access to flu vaccinations during clinics at the Center for Health Sciences, the Kirkhof Center, the Muskegon Campus, the Holland Campus and the Family Health Center.

This fall, approximately 1,650 people have received their flu vaccine, which is an increase from the previous year.

Kimberly Fenbert, pediatric nurse practitioner and affiliate faculty at the Family Health Center, said she is happy with the success of this year’s flu clinics.

“We are very pleased with the publicity and the teamwork we received from nursing students, pre-med students, wellness, marketing and communications,” Fenbert said. “This really helped make a very successful campaign, and next year’s campaign is going to be better yet.”

The flu is a highly contagious disease that can spread from coming in contact with objects that have the disease on them, such as doorknobs and desks, or from breathing in the disease. This makes the people frequenting a college campus highly susceptible to the disease.

There are a few simple precautions that can be taken to avoid catching the flu, including people washing their hands with warm water and soap after touching objects they suspect may have been in contact with the disease. When it is not possible to wash their hands, individuals should carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and take care not to touch their mouth, eyes or nose without cleansing their hands first.

However, getting a flu shot is the best way to avoid catching the disease because strains of the flu virus change over time. Doctors say is it vital to stay current and get vaccinated each year, preferably before the annual flu season begins, around October and November.

When Shelby Stanke, a sophomore at GVSU, learned that the Health Center offers the flu vaccine on the Allendale Campus, she said she would take advantage of this convenient location, rather than having to make an appointment somewhere else.

While not all students or faculty at GVSU share this sentiment, the Family Health Center maintains that it is important for everyone to receive an annual flu shot. Fenbert is pleased that the university allows them to hold the flu campaign at various sites throughout both the Allendale and Pew campuses.

“Not only does it protect yourself, but it helps to protect others,” Fenbert said.

The Family Health Center will continue to offer flu shots at its Grand Rapids location during open hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information about the Family Health Center’s services, visit www.gvsu.edu/fhc.