Oct. 22, 2004

Columbia, S.C. –
The USC Athletics Department has historically offered flu immunization for its student-athletes, coaches and staff between Oct. 15-Nov.1. Most years, the number of shots administered totaled between 300-400. This year, flu shots were administered to the men’s basketball team earlier than normal (Oct. 6) since the team was scheduled to travel to Canada for a series of exhibition games Oct. 13-17. These shots were provided before the athletics department had full knowledge of whether the vaccine would be redistributed by the federal government. Had the athletics department known at the time that there would be such a severity in the current and future distribution of the vaccine, the immunizations to the men’s basketball team would have never occurred. No other student-athletes have been immunized since and until the shortage is over with, no other student-athlete will.