It’s flu season again; that time of year when noses run, snot flies, and germs run rampant throughout the campus.
But the Student Health Center, commonly called the infirmary, is here to help students combat these nasty little microbes.
The infirmary, located in Henderson Hall on the corner of Lee and Monroe Street, will be offering students a flu vaccine beginning Wednesday, Oct. 3, between 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
An e-mail was sent out Sept. 28 notifying students of the availability of the vaccine.
The vaccine is called Chiron and will cost students $5. The charge for faculty, staff and retirees will be $20. There are no discounts given to the spouse or children of students, neither they, nor the community will have access to this vaccine.
However, they can obtain a flu vaccine called Novartis from the Live Oak Professional Center at 1705 Live Oak St. for $25.
The Live Oak Center has already begun giving out their vaccines. The next bout of shots will be from Oct. 1-4 and Oct. 8-11 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
No appointment is necessary and vaccinations will be given to persons ages four and up.
Sue Nixson, office manager for the center, gets her flu shot every year. She recommends that anyone who works with or around people gets the influenza vaccine.
Students might wonder why they’re getting their shots so cheap. Are their shots inferior to those received by the faculty and staff? The answer is no.
The reason behind the cheapness can be explained by Eileen Niesen, lab and X-ray technician at the Student Health Center.
“We’re here for the students,” she said. “That’s our number one job.”
Niesen gets her flu shot every year as well. “I believe in ’em,” she said. “Especially in a classroom environment where things can be spread around so easily.”
According to the Center for Disease Control’s Web site, “Influenza, also called flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.
It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.”
Both centers are using a killed virus instead of the live version. The inactivated influenza vaccine contains the hemagglutinins of strains most likely to circulate throughout the United States during the 2007-2008 flu seasons.
The shot includes, typically, types A and B influenza strains.
“A very, very small percentage [get flu-like symptoms],” Neisen said. “It used to be very true because the vaccine was made with a live virus. They use a killed virus now, which means it’s inactive.”
According to Neison, a killed virus is less likely to give receivers those feared flu-like symptoms.
The viruses are grown in embryonated hen’s eggs, and might contain some lingering amounts of egg protein.
Those persons with egg allergies are encouraged to consult a doctor prior to receiving the vaccine, and under no circumstances should get the shot without a consultation.
Once the vaccine enters the body, the receiver begins to develop high hem agglutination inhibition antibody titers.
These antibody titers protect against illness caused by strains similar to those in the vaccine.
According to the CDC Web site, every Year in the United States, on average: 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized due to complications, including 20,000 children; and about 36,000 people die from the flu every year.
The best way to protect yourselves and those you love against the influenza virus is to get vaccinated each year.
The best time to get vaccinated, according to the CDC’s Web site, is in October or November, but that getting vaccinated in December still provides some protection, as flu season normally peaks in January or later.
So make your way to the infirmary, and as Niesen recommends, come early.