Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The bug is back.
Flu season is gaining momentum in the United States, and as a response, Student Health Services will begin holding clinics around campus today to help students avoid getting sick.
Watkins Memorial Health Center will offer not only the standard flu shot this semester, but also a new nasal mist. The mist costs $10 and the normal shot costs $15.
Patty Quinlan, nursing supervisor at Watkins, said despite the cost discrepancy, both vaccination methods were equally effective.
Mai Do, marketing coordinator for the Watkins Health Center, fills out paperwork to receive a flu shot Flu clinics start this Tuesday. In addition to the standard flu shot, which costs $15, a new nasal mist is also offered this year for $10.
The process for making the flu vaccine has also changed this year. Quinlan said scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization monitor the influenza virus year-round. In doing so, they are able to determine which strains of the virus are the most common and likely to affect the greatest number of people.
In past years, the organizations would narrow the strains down to three main possibilities. They then create a vaccine from a combination of these strains and send the vaccine out to pharmacies.
Mai Do, marketing coordinator for Student Health Services, said the process had not been very effective during the last flu season.
Last year, the combination of the three strains left many people afflicted with the influenza virus despite receiving vaccinations because other strains of the virus were more common than the CDC and WHO had anticipated.
Flu clinics this week:
Tuesday — 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Kansas Union (4th floor Traditions Area)
Wednesday — 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Mrs. E’s (Lewis Hall)
Thursday — 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at The Underground (Wescoe Hall)
“It’s a guessing game by scientists,” Quinlan said.
The CDC reported this month that several states have already seen cases of the flu this fall. It said the earliest signs showed the vaccine had been effective, matching well with the current circulating strains of the virus.
Though Watkins has not yet seen a single case of the virus on campus this fall, the season is just beginning. Quinlan said getting the vaccine as a preventative measure was a smart option for students. Even with the vaccine, she said, it was possible to contract the virus. The effects of the virus were not as severe for those with some form of the vaccine, Quinlan said.
The nasal mist, which is a new option for flu vaccines this year, comes at a cheaper price than the normal injection. The mist differs from the standard injection in that it is generally reserved for students who are healthy and well, with no history of asthmatic problems. Though the nasal mist is less expensive, the evaluation process administered by Watkins’ nurses takes longer. Quinlan said the side effects that accompany the nasal mist were also stronger than those of the shot.
Pat Peterson, Wheaton, Ill., senior, said he planned to get the flu shot soon. A hectic schedule and demanding class load motivated his decision.
“I’m way too busy with school and extracurricular activities like ‘Rock Chalk’ to get sick,” Peterson said, referring to the Rock Chalk Revue.
Student Health Services will host the flu clinics throughout the rest of October and into late November. The clinic’s hours and locations, as well as tips for staying healthy, were sent to all KU students and faculty last Friday via e-mail.
Flu vaccinations prevent winter illness
Campus clinics make vaccinations easily accessible to students.
Flu vaccine opens to all
Students can avoid flu with proper precautions
As season hits peak, flu shots still ...
Students can get influenza vaccinations at Watkins to start the semester germ ...
Flu season starting late this year
Though flu season usually starts in the fall, many people are just ...
Maybe too soon for flu shots
Some officials say an early flu shot wears off too early.
Flu spreads on campus
Fewer students getting flu vaccines
Watkins Memorial Health Center has given out only 60 percent of the ...
Don't let the flu get the best ...
KU clinics offer the easiest way to keep the dreaded virus away ...
Down with the bug
The influenza virus is more prevalent on campus this flu season.
University begins to prepare for H1N1
The University is sending words of flu warning to incoming freshmen.
Watkins to prepare for possible pandemic
Campus demand for flu vaccines increases
Watkins ran out of seasonal flu vaccine Tuesday and canceled all but ...
Letter: Not getting vaccinated will not reduce ...
Getting a flu shot is not always beneficial.
Many H1N1 vaccine clinics for KU students
Vaccinations could be important to prevent third wave of H1N1 virus.
Editorial: Remain diligent to stop swine flu ...
As H1N1 spreads, the University urges students to be mindful of sanitation.
Students, physicians weigh in on HPV
The sexually transmitted disease is preventable with the Gardasil vaccine.
Letter to the editor: Students should get ...
Pharmacy student Allison Robertson argues students should get vaccinated.
Gardasil clarifies label warning
Vaccination still offered at Watkins, staff says fears are unwarranted.
Flu shots open to KU
Health center also opens to those with “flu-like symptoms.”
HPV vaccine approved for use in men
Watkins Health Center plans to order Human Papillomavirus vaccines for men who ...
Swine flu shouldn’t affect KU students
University says threat is small and study abroad to Mexico will still ...
Study reports HPV vaccine safe for males
Watkins Memorial Health Center offers vaccine for both male and female students.
Prepare for healthy year and campus life
Watkins physician discusses seasonal health tips so students won’t miss class throughout ...
That's disgusting: Kissing
Avoiding mouth-to-mouth action is a good way to stave off strep, mono, ...
Brown: Campus alert: swine flu rumors keep ...
The issue should not turn into a hysteria.
Sexually transmitted diseases common, preventable
Safe sex practices and condoms can lower the likelihood of contracting an ...
Risk of catching H1N1 increases during spring ...
Student Health Services encourages students to get the H1N1 vaccine before spring ...
Conditions need to be met for a ...
The flu hit campus and Watkins is ready and willing to treat ...
Remaining on-campus flu clinics cancel
Watkins Memorial Health Center will still have vaccinations available
New health record system coming to Watkins ...
Electronic processing would make tracking student records easier.
Letter: The list of ingredients is scarier ...
Vaccine supply short, H1N1 clinics canceled
Seasonal flu vaccinations still available Tuesday, Wednesday at Watkins Health Center.
Watkins to offer free H1N1 shots Friday
University recommends preventive measures against swine flu to all students.
Swine Flu infects two in Douglas County
Health officials say there is no need to change travel plans
Swine flu confirmed in Douglas County
A local late-stage victim adds to growing international diagnoses.
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID