It’s almost flu season again, but due to a worldwide delay in the production of the flu vaccine, hospitals and health clinics are concerned about having enough of the preventative shots to treat everyone.
At the Student Health Center, however, nurses are confident that even though their supply of vaccine will arrive late, they will have enough to treat everyone.
Sharon Harbert, nurse manager of the health center, said they should receive the first shipment of vaccines by the end of the month, with a second shipment arriving by mid-November.
If people get a flu shot at least one month before flu season hits, they should be protected for the season, she said, adding that it’s especially important for students to get a flu shot, since they often don’t have the best health habits.
“Students are thrown into a sea of germs,” Harbert said. “Too much stress, not eating well and being exposed to so many germs all contribute to illnesses.”
The delay in delivering the vaccines has been caused by a difficulty in making one of the three strains used to create the flu vaccine. Type A Influenza, strain H3N2, has not replicated quickly enough this year to make enough viruses needed for the vaccines, said Mike Canton, a Sacred Heart Medical Center pharmacist.
He said the pharmacy has been forced to prioritize its current supply, meaning those who most need the flu vaccines, such as people over 65 and those with long-term diseases, will be given the first opportunity to receive the vaccine. Canton said this will likely result in many people having to stay home sick this winter.
“This is going to be a disaster in terms of availability,” he said.
Despite the shortage, University students should be able to receive a flu shot this season. The health center will be offering flu shots in Area C once the vaccines become available. Walk-ins are welcome, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost of the shot is $4, which can be charged to students’ accounts.
“The best time to get your flu shot is from mid-October to mid-November,” Harbert said. “We expect to have the vaccines by then.”
While students wait to get their flu shots, there are ways to prevent contracting the illness. Patty Andrews, nursing director at the health center, said students should always drink plenty of fluids and never share drinks or food with another person. They should also wash their hands frequently to stop the spread of germs.
“However, getting your shot is the number one way to prevent the flu,” Andrews said.
Common flu symptoms include a fever, severe exhaustion and a loss of appetite. There is no cure for the flu once a person contracts it, so the sick are forced to wait it out, but certain over-the-counter medicines help alleviate some discomfort.
“You know you have the flu when you can’t get up to go to class,” Andrews said.