A limited supply of H1N1 vaccine will be available tomorrow at Student Health between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for students who are at risk of developing further complications from the flu.
According to an e-mail sent to all students from Student Health Director James Turner, certain medical conditions will qualify students to receive the vaccine. These conditions include pregnancy, chronic heart or lung disease, chronic asthma, diabetes, chronic kidney or liver disease, neurologic conditions and hermatologic conditions. Additionally, students who are either currently taking medications or have conditions that suppress their immune systems will be permitted to receive the vaccine.
According to the e-mail, nurses will privately screen students to determine if they are medically eligible to receive the vaccine. The vaccine will cost $15. Because of the limited supplies, the H1N1 immunization clinic may close early if vaccines are depleted before 4:30 p.m.
"I want to emphasize that this vaccine is considered to be very safe and very effective, and it is made exactly the same way as all of the other seasonal flu vaccine that's been made over the last several decades," Turner said.
Nevertheless, the limited supplies mean that it is still important for all students to take the usual measures to limit the spread of the flu, especially if they are at risk for complications, Turner said. Among other precautions, students should thoroughly wash their hands, not share drinks and ensure that they receive an adequate amount of rest.
"The usual kind of good balance will help their immune system stay healthy," Turner said. "But certainly the vaccine is a very important part of that, so certainly if they are at risk they should try to avail themselves of the vaccine clinic Friday."
University officials remain unsure when they will receive the next supply of H1N1 vaccinations for students, but Turner said he believes there may be more by mid-to-late November. Medically eligible students can only receive the H1N1 vaccination tomorrow and not during today's seasonal flu immunization clinic in Newcomb.
-compiled by Prateek Vasireddy
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