Flu
shots given to students on campus
By Gina Ponce
On-line Forty-Niner
Flu
season is around the corner.
Many people believe the flu is as harmless
as the cold, but fail to realize that each
year about 114,000 people are hospitalized
and 20,000 people die from the disease.
The flu shot is recommended for everyone
but especially for those who live in the
dorms because they are living in such close
quarters, said Larry Harvey, the clinical
coordinator of the Student Health Services
at Cal State Long Beach.
Students are advised to get the shot even
if they think they are healthy, in order
to prevent getting the disease and protect
those around them.
People have a lot of misconceptions about
the vaccine, Harvey said. Some people may
believe the shot will give them a touch
of the flu, but the live product is going
into the person who receives it. It is an
inactivated virus.
Others may think about dangerous side effects,
but according to the National Immunization
Program the worst side effect a person is
likely to get is a sore arm.
While the vaccine protects most people from
the flu, it is not 100 percent effective,
according to the NIP. But if someone gets
the shot and still happens to get the flu
he or she will probably be much less sick
than if he or she had not received the shot
at all. However, the shot will not protect
people against other viruses that can feel
like the flu.
“I felt more susceptible to sicknesses last
year because of living in such close contact
with so many people,” said Jenna Lazzerni,
a junior and former resident at CSULB. “I
got the flu shot because of living in the
dorms. It went around my whole suite but
I didn’t get it.”
There are a few exceptions as to who can
get the shot, according to the immunization
program. It may not be recommended for those
who are allergic to eggs, which are contained
in the vaccine, have a high fever or have
had a severe reaction to the vaccine in
the past.
The best time to get a flu shot is in November,
according to the program. Health Services
will offer the vaccine to faculty, staff
and students on from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov.
7 in the University Student Union Ballroom.
The shot will cost $18 and is payable by
cash, check or credit card. Harvey said
the cost for the flu shot may be cheaper
than places outside. A meningitis immunization
will also be available during this time
for $85.
Health Services will put fliers and posters
up around campus to remind people as immunization
day program. More information about the
flu shot can be found on the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention Web site.
|
