Great news! For your convenience and good health, North Carolina A&T State University is again partnering with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) and Maxim Health Systems to host an on-site flu shot clinic, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the 1020 East Wendover facility in room 007. The clinic is free of charge to all employees who are enrolled in the State Health Plan and their covered dependents.

Since vaccination is the best protection against the flu, all eligible employees and their family members, ages 4 and older, are invited to participate. Children under the age of four must receive shots from their primary care physician.   

Participants are required to bring their BCBSNC identification card and a photo ID to the clinic, and they must sign a consent form before receiving a flu shot.

To register for this free clinic, send an email to Benefits@ncat.edu to sign up in 15-minute increments. Someone from the Benefits Office will confirm the appointment via email.

Included below are answers to frequently asked questions about the flu and flu shots. Related links and the latest information are also provided on the BCBSNC website at www.bcbsnc.com/flu.

Flu FAQs

Q:  Will I get the flu from the flu shot?
A: No. Flu vaccine is created from dead or inactive viruses that are not contagious.

Q: Do I need a flu shot every year?
A:  Yes. Influenza viruses continually change every year. A new vaccine is used annually to fight the most current influenza virus. In addition, the antibody a person develops from the vaccine declines over time.

Q:  When should I get a flu shot?
A:  Influenza usually occurs from November until April, with activity peaking between late December and early March. The optimal time for flu shots is October through November; however, it is clinically beneficial to be vaccinated through December and January.

Q:  Why get a flu shot?
A:  Influenza usually leaves its victims unable to function for several days and is responsible for an average of 140,000 hospitalizations each year (National Coalition for Adult Immunization, April 2000). Getting an annual flu shot is your best protection.

Q:  Can children receive a flu shot?
A:  Maxim will immunize children 4 years and older. Children between the ages of 4 and 17 will require parental consent to receive the flu immunization. Parents of children under the age of 4 will be asked to check with their primary care physician about flu immunizations for their child.

Q:  Should women who are pregnant receive a flu shot?
A:  Flu shots are recommended for women at all stages of pregnancy. Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy may receive the flu shot without a prescription.

Q:  How effective is the flu shot?
A:  Flu vaccine has been determined to be about 75 percent effective in preventing the flu and is the best method of protection.

Q:  Who should get a flu shot?
A:  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a flu shot for individuals who fit their criteria of high-risk or one of the following categories:

• Anyone who wants to reduce the risk of contracting the flu
• Those over the age of 50
• People with high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, a history of stroke or heart attack, a chronic disease, diabetes, a compromised immune system, anemia, asthma or other breathing problems
• A health care worker with high-risk patients
• Those who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic, kidney or blood cell diseases
• People traveling to a foreign country
• People living or working with persons who fit into one of these categories

Q:  Can I still get the flu after receiving the flu shot?
A:  Yes. Like other vaccines, flu vaccine is not 100 percent effective and it does not take effect until one or two weeks after it is received. During this time, you will be just as susceptible to contract the flu as individuals who have not received the vaccination. Still, the best option to prevent flu is to get a yearly flu shot.

Q:  Am I classified as high-risk?
A:  You are classified as high-risk if you fall under one of the following categories:

• 65 years of age or older
• A household contact of persons at increased risk of influenza-related complications
• A resident or employee of a nursing home or other chronic care facility where some of the residents have chronic medical conditions
• Have a chronic medical condition such as asthma or another lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, blood disease
• Have immune system problems caused either by disease (e.g., HIV or lymphoma) or by medication (e.g., chemotherapy or radiation therapy)
• A woman who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season (You must bring a physician's written prescription to the clinic location.)

This information was provided by the Benefits Office at N.C. A&T, (336) 334-7226.

The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Lyceum Series Proudly Presents: Taking Us Back To Our Roots.

All ticketed Lyceum Programs are free to students, faculty and staff at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, with valid university identification. Cost for all other patrons will be $5.00. All events are on a first come first served policy.

For additional information regarding the Lyceum Series contact Gregory Horton at 336-334-7852 or email gjhorton@ncat.edu.

Below is an excerpt from the 2010-2011 Lyceum Series brochure:

Acclaimed screen and television Actress Tasha Smith , has appeared in several Tyler Perry films. This comedian actress, recently transformed from atheist to Christian, was last seen in Tyler Perry's box office hit "Why Did I Get Married Too?" A versatile talent, she has guest-starred in numerous television programs including "Nip/Tuck," "Girlfriends," "Chicago Hope" and "America's Next Top Model." Born an identical twin and raised by a single mother, Ms. Smith will grace the Harrison stage to share moments of her life story to our students, faculty and campus community. You will never be the same once you have experienced the energetic and motivating talents of Ms. Smith. See Tasha Smith at Harrison Auditorium Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. (*)

The Step Afrika International Cultural Festival is a phenomenal African Hip Hop and dance team sure to steal everyone's attention! With their unique international and cultural flavor, this group moves people from all walks of life to interact and exchange with the African continent. Founded in 1994 as a cultural exchange between Americans and South Africans, Step Afrika partners with the Soweto Dance Theatre (SDT) welcoming individuals and artist from around the world to share and participate in a rich experience that involves community service, cultural exchange and youth development at its best. They STEP, TEACH, ENTERTAIN, and are official AMBASSADORS from Appalachia to South Africa. See Step Afrika on the Richard B. Harrison stage Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. (*)

Rebecca Skloot, acclaimed author of the book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (the 2010-11 official Text in Community Book chosen by N.C. A&T State University) will be in our midst in February to share her thoughts about the writing of this powerful book about the unfair and inhumane treatment of a poor black female and her family. Based on a true story, Skloot describes how Henrietta Lacks' DNA and genes were stolen and used without permission, by the scientific community for more than four decades without the knowledge of Ms. Lacks or members of her family. Join the Lyceum Series, The Office of the Provost, Liberal Studies Department, English Department, Biology Department, Sociology and Social Work Department, School of Business, School of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences as we welcome Ms. Skloot on Feb. 3, 2011, in the Stallings Ballroom of the Memorial Student Union at 4 p.m.

Forces of Nature Dance Theatre has performed and produced ballets and also presented concerts and educational programs in New York and throughout the world since their inception in 1981. The company "utilizes a unique blend of performing arts, which includes contemporary modern dance, traditional West African dance, ballet, house, and hip-hop forms as well as live and recorded music and martial arts." This spellbinding dance theatre company proves to awaken all in attendance that will witness their performance. Forces of Nature Dance Theatre is set to light the stage at Harrison Auditorium on March 16, 2011, at 7 p.m. (*)

Nuttin' But Stringz , also known as N.B.S., consists of brothers Damien and Tourie Escobar who are both talented violinists . The duo hails from Jamaica Queens, N.Y . These classically trained artists incorporate a blend of classical, hip-hop, rhythm, blues, and jazz as apart of their repertoire. Their impressive victory on Showtime at the Apollo created a media frenzy, which led to subsequent appearances on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," as well as "The Today Show" with Katie Couric and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." The brothers also showcased their talents at Carnegie Hall and performed for President George W. Bush at the White House. We are fortunate to conclude our Lyceum Series with these stars of the music industry. Please don't miss this Brother Duo on April 13, 2011, at Richard B. Harrison Auditorium, 7 p.m. (*)

(*) Implies a ticketed event