A new study shows flu vaccinations reduce college students'
risk of illness, related health-care visits and school interruptions.
Researchers at the VA Medical Center and University of Minnesota studied students on two campuses during four flu seasons from 2002 to 2006.Each year, 9% to 20% of U.S. college and university students get the flu.

The study took 12,975 students, 30.2% had a flu vaccination and 24.1% experienced at least one flu-like symptom during flu
season. Vaccinated students were much less likely to get sick
than those who weren't vaccinated.
"Vaccination was also associated with significant reductions in influenza-like illness, doctor visits, antibiotic use, impaired
school performance, the numbers of days of missed classes
and/or, work and illness during the influenza season,"
wrote Dr. Kristin L. Nichol and colleagues.

When they averaged their findings over all four flu seasons, the
researchers concluded that: One day of illness was prevented for every two students who were vaccinated; one day of missed class was prevented for every 17 students vaccinated; one day of missed
work was prevented for every 11 students vaccinated, and one
day spent in bed was prevented for every six students vaccinated.
The study was published in the December issue of the Archives of
Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

"Current recommendations for the prevention and control of influenza encourage vaccination for all persons 6 months and older who wish to reduce their risk of influenza illness. Our findings
highlight the benefits that would accrue to the nearly 18 million college and university students in this country if they were vaccinated," the study authors wrote.