Student Health Services gave students the opportunity to get their annual flu vaccine at the Flu Shot Clinic during common hour on Sept. 29.
The event was originally scheduled to be in the SGA Pavilion, but the clinic was moved to the health center due to weather conditions. This is one of two flu clinics given during the semester, with another scheduled for Oct. 20 during Healthfest from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Aebersold Recreation Center.
Coordinator of Health Promotion Renee Bateman, along with Student Health Services and Hope Peer Educators, set up the event. Around 70 shots were given at the flu clinic during common hour, although more were given throughout the day.
Students don’t need to wait for a flu clinic to get their flu shots, Bateman said.
“Flu clinics are not the only opportunity to get flu shots,” she said. “Students can come into the student health center 24/7 to receive a shot.”
More flu clinics were given in the past but Bateman said that most students would come to the health center when it was most convenient for them. Now, Student Health Services encourages students to come whenever they’re able and get their flu shots.
“It’s important for students to get their flu shots because they’re sharing a wide range of surfaces,” she said. “Whether it’s your room, apartment or classroom. Viruses stay active on surfaces, so if someone before you was sitting at the desk and happened to have an influenza virus, then you come along and touch that desk then touch your eyes, nose or mouth, you could potentially get influenza. We’re talking 10 to 14 days out of class, severe fevers and body aches.”
800 students were vaccinated last year by the health center. Bateman said that around 40 percent of the student population has the flu vaccine, based on surveys. She said she also thinks that some students get their flu shots at Rite Aid, Walmart or Walgreens. Having the shot helps keep family members and peers around the student safe.
“You’re not just protecting yourself, but you’re protecting those who you work with as well by not receiving the virus,” Bateman said.
