Pat Walker Health Center Fights Flu On Campus

Carleton Brown is working on his Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas. He's also caring for a little one at home. So this flu season, he's not taking any chances. 

"I have a two year old and he's already had the flu shot and my wife has had the flu shot, now I have it," said Carleton.

Especially with the total number of Arkansas flu related deaths now up to nine people, Carleton chose to take the sting before prevention.

 "I don't want to get sick while I'm a full time student," said Carleton.

Mary Alice Serafini with Pat Walker Health Center said Carleton isn't alone in getting the shot.

"We are giving lots of flu vaccinations. We started with 360 doses, we're now down to 100 does and 50 today," said Serafini.

Even though classes started back on Monday, the health center still saw eleven cases of the flu last week, something Serafini says is quite normal.

"Right now, it's very moderate and pretty much what we've seen before. We haven't reached a peak of any kind," said Serafini.

Serafini also said that awareness is the key to prevention.

"We have a campus that is pretty conscious. Lots of people are very careful about sneezes and coughs, washing their hands frequently," said Serafini.

All steps towards a sick free semester for students and staff at The University of Arkansas.