|
UIS follows national guidelines in
release of flu vaccine
By Janee Mitchell
The flu vaccine was given
on Wednesday, Oct. 13 and will be provided again on Oct. 27. The
U.S. is experiencing a vaccine shortage and guidelines were used
in determining who would get the vaccine. Many students had to
be turned away from the vaccine table because they did not meet
the guidelines.
Lynne Price, director of Campus Health Service, said the U.S.
usually buys its supply of vaccine through wholesalers who buy
from other countries. This is done because the U.S. does not
produce all the vaccines needed. Price also said Chiron, a
British wholesaler providing half of the U.S. supply (48 1/2
million doses), experienced a contamination in their supply and
England will not allow release of the vaccine.
 Although
there is a vaccine shortage, UIS has managed to purchase its
normal amount of vaccine. However, UIS decided to use the Center
for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in the
distribution of the vaccine.
The Campus Health Service released a statement to the UIS
community stating the guidelines as follows: children 6-23
months, children 6 months to 18 years of age on chronic aspirin
therapy, adults 65 years old or higher or with chronic medical
conditions, pregnant women, residents of nursing homes and
long-term care facilities, healthcare workers with direct
patient care and out of home caregivers and household contacts
of children less than 6 months of age are still encouraged to
get vaccinated.
Casey McCombs, senior in the criminal justice department, a
student turned away from the vaccine, said "It makes me upset
because even though I'm not a health risk, I could still get
sick, UIS should want all students to be healthy.”
McComb also said she saw people who did not appear to be
enrolled in UIS. She said since there is a shortage the vaccine
should only be reserved for faculty and students of UIS.
Price said that she would tell students like McCombs to "realize
that there are people who may not be able to fight off the flu,
forego to let others.” Price said she feels bad turning away
students from the vaccine. She also said "of those people that
had to be turned away, most people understood and were willing
to give it up for those more in need.”
Price said that the vaccine is not 100 percent effective, but it
is helpful. The flu vaccine may leave red, itchy or sore arms,
leave the person tired and achy, or cause a low-grade fever, but
the symptoms usually only last one day. Price said that many
people do not even suffer these side effects. Price also said
there are always risks with any medication and people with
Guillain-Barre Syndrome or allergies to chicken should not take
the vaccine.
Price gives the following instructions for students to defend
against the virus: "wash hands a lot", using an alcohol-based
hand gel or sanitizer, eat well balanced meals, drink lots of
(healthy) fluids, get plenty of rest and avoid coughy, sneezy
people. Also, when coughing or sneezing be sure to cover your
mouth, discard tissue, and wash hands thoroughly, she said.
Price said UIS is in the process of trying to purchase the nasal
flu mist. She said that the nasal mist is a one-time thing and
is only for healthy people between the ages of 5 and 49. Price
also said that because of its high demand the nasal mist will be
priced from $20- $45 a dose.
The last day to get the flu vaccine will be Wednesday, Oct. 27.
Appointments and walk-ins will be accepted, but those who wish
to take the vaccine must meet the CDC requirements. Price said
UIS purchased 600 doses of the vaccine, 300 of which are for
state employees, for the Oct. 27 flu clinic. Price said that the
remainder of the vaccine will be shared with the UIUC campus if
they do not have enough vaccine for their students and local
public health departments.
|
