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Students’ chances for
flu vaccine are Shot
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Boise State students may be hit hard with the flu this year
because the Student Health, Wellness and Counseling Services Center
was not able to obtain any doses of flu vaccine.
British bio-technology manufacturer Chiron has declared their stash
of flu vaccine was compromised this year and they will not be
distributing 48 million doses to U.S. vendors. This cuts the 2004
U.S. supply in half and has resulted in a nation-wide shortage.
Director of Clinical Services Dr. Vincent Serio said the
center’s vaccine supplier had a contract with Chiron and
therefore they will have no doses of the vaccine to offer
students.
Last fall, the HWCS center offered around 1,000 doses to students
of all ages both at the center and all over campus, says Serio.
This year will be different. “We’re not offering the
flu vaccine to anyone,” says Serio.
While the flu can affect anyone, the Centers for Disease Control
report senior citizens and younger children are affected most.
While that may represent a smaller portion of BSU students, Serio
says “You could get an epidemic that spreads through
campus.”
Because supplies are so limited this year, Serio said “flu
prevention is a key factor.”
Junior Ellen Haffner said in previous years she has gotten a flu
shot through her former employer. Last year she did not and
contracted the flu as a result. This year, student insurance would
have entitled her to a free flu shot.
“I’m always nervous in the fall because I usually spend
the semester sick,” says Haffner. She takes precautions
year-round to remain healthy. “I wash my hands frequently and
carry hand sanitizer everywhere with me,” says Haffner.
In addition to keeping clean hands, Serio offers other suggestions
to help students avoid the virus. Students should avoid close
contact with anyone showing symptoms of the flu and stay home if
they are sick. “You shouldn’t try to drag yourself out
of bed and go to school,” says Serio.
Also, students with flu symptoms can lower their risk by avoiding
touching their hands and noses, covering their mouths and noses
when coughing, and in some cases, students may want to wear a
surgical mask to prevent the spread of germs to others.
Serio says to seek preventative treatments within the first 48
hours of developing symptoms. Some doctors offer medications that
can slow or stop the onset of the flu.
In the meantime, healthy students can stay that way by taking time
to relax and get a full night of rest. This, combined with healthy
eating habits and regular exercise can be a big boost to the immune
system, according to the CDC.
The CDC also reports an average of 36,000 Americans die each year
of the flu, but most are age 65 or older.
Preventative care:
•Avoid close contact with others
•Stay home when you are sick
•Clean your hands
•Avoid touching your eyes
•Cover you nose and mouth when coughing
•Wear a surgical mask to protect others
Symptoms
•Fever, headache
•Extreme fatigue
•Dry cough, sore throat
•Runny or stuffy nose
•Muscle aches
•Upset stomach
Grace Lucas
News Writer
