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Campus awaits flu vaccinations |
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Thursday, 20 September 2007 |
 Jill Venable provides a vaccination to an Appalachian student. Student Health Services ordered 1,250 shots of the flu vaccination and 40 doses of FluMist nasal flu treatment for the fall flu season. Bryan Tarnowski
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by EMILY MELTON
Intern News Reporter
As the temperature of Boone continues to decrease, Appalachian State University students begin to pack away their summer apparel.
Shorts and sandals will soon be replaced with sweaters, fleece hats, and snow boots.
Another change will also emerge; as cold weather quickly approaches, so does the flu.
Student
Health Services ordered 1,250 shots of the flu vaccination and 40 doses
of FluMist nasal flu treatment. They are expected to arrive later this
fall.
David J. Neal, pharmacy manager of Student Health Services, suggests
that students remain aware of the situation as it develops.
“I recommend that students come early to receive their vaccinations,” said Neal.
Students must pay a small fee in order to receive these treatment services.
High-risk students are entitled to receive primary care. All other
students are able to receive vaccinations until supplies run out.
However, due to a vaccine shortage, faculty and staff cannot receive vaccinations.
The influenza virus, a respiratory infection, is highly contagious. It
enters the body through mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
The flu causes fatigue, severe fever, muscle aches, a dry cough, and a runny nose.
It becomes airborne when someone who is infected by the virus sneezes or coughs.
Until students are able to obtain the vaccination, certain precautions
should be taken to decrease the chance of developing the flu.
“Trying to prevent getting sick is a whole lot easier than trying to
get better,” said Kit B. Olson, program coordinator of the Student
Wellness Center. “Getting adequate rest, eating a balanced diet,
regularly exercising, and drinking enough fluids are all ways to stay
healthy.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Convention, up to 20
percent of American citizens become infected with flu each year.
“I get the flu every year,” said Rachel D. Fannin, a junior exercise
science, pre-professional major. “I’m going to get the flu vaccination
as soon as I get the chance.”
Fannin, who recommends that all students receive the vaccination when
it becomes available, explains that staying healthy is important to do
well in school.
“I had to miss a lot of my classes because of the flu,” said Fannin, “Luckily, my teachers were understanding of my situation.”
Fannin believes that students at Appalachian should be aware of the benefits of receiving the flu vaccination.
“As young adults, we should take the responsibility of being healthy.”
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