The 2009 novel H1N1 influenza pandemic was historic, newsworthy and exciting. A vaccine had to be developed and was available too late for many of the more than 1,500 N.C. State students sickened in the first 14 weeks of fall semester 2009. The typical student sickened with flu missed class and usual activities three to five days.

Fast-forward to fall 2010, and the upcoming flu season is boring by comparison. The flu vaccine is not in short supply in 2010. About 2,000 of the more than 30,000 students have received flu vaccine at the fall 2010 vaccine clinics held on campus. A single dose of vaccine protects against three subtypes of flu and takes about two weeks to be protective.

The next flu vaccine clinic is Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Talley Student Center Ballroom. No appointment is required. Vaccine is free with some insurance plans (Pearce & Pearce and BCBSNC) or $25 for others. Updates about vaccine opportunities will be posted at ncsu.edu/student_health.

It cannot be predicted with certainty when flu will arrive at the University in 2010. Sporadic flu activity is already being reported in 22 states, including North Carolina (according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Subtypes causing illness include A(2009 H1N1), A(H3), and B. Flu activity typically increases in November and might continue into March.

Coming down with flu in November or December could impact Thanksgiving break plans, expose family members and interfere with the critical final weeks of the semester and final exams.

So should students care about flu and getting vaccinated in 2010? Absolutely. Your semester might depend on it.

Dr. Mary Bengtson is currently the medical director at Student Health Services. Dr. Bengtson earned a BS in microbiology and her MD from Southern Illinois University.  She completed her residency and became board certified in family practice at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana. She worked as staff physician at Purdue University Student Health before coming to N.C. State.