200,000 hospitalizations. 36,000 deaths. Up to 20 percent of the U.S. population infected.
The cause? Influenza.
Fairfield University is working to combat these statistics by offering students, faculty and staff a chance to get the flu vaccine.
Though students could get the vaccination on Tuesday, Oct. 16, the Health Center will be offering vaccinations again on Thursday, Nov. 1, from noon to 4 p.m. in the BCC.
The vaccination costs 30 dollars and the nasal mist costs 40 dollars. The Health Center accepts cash, checks, student charges or stag bucks. Your receipt can also be submitted to your insurance for a rebate.
Getting the flu shot is important not only because influenza is a viral infection, but also because it is highly contagious. The symptoms of the flu include hacking cough, high fever, intense body aches, headache, and usually some congestion and sore throat. Complication may include pneumonia, bronchitis and sinusitis.
The Health Center recommends everyone in the Fairfield community to get a flu shot.
“The flu shot is safe and effective. The college environment makes it difficult to avoid the flu when it is circulating. Students with the flu typically must rest in bed. Students often miss a week of classes,” says Julia A. Duffy, MS, APRN, BC, Director of the Student Health Center.
Every year the flu shot is improved to prevent people from catching the ever-changing infectious disease. Consequently, the flu shot you got last year will not protect you from the flu this year.
It takes about two weeks for the protective antibodies to be produced by the immune system. Therefore, the Health Center encourages everyone to get the flu shot as soon as possible.
Also, it is very important that students with conditions such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic health conditions receive the influenza vaccine. However, all students who wish to avoid the flu are encouraged to be vaccinated.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the viruses in the flu shot are inactivated, so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. The risk of a flu shot causing serious harm or death is extremely small.
However, a vaccine, like any medicine, can rarely cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. Almost all people who get the influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it.
For those who are afraid of needles, there is the option of the nasal spray (FluMist). Although, the nasal spray is a live vaccine, the virus is weakened so that it cannot cause the flu.
However, people who receive the nasal spray may experience flu-like symptoms according to the CDC.
Some side effects of getting the flu shot include soreness, redness at the injection site, a low-grade fever, aches and cold-like symptoms.
Some side effects of getting the nasal spray include runny nose, headache, sore throat, cough, vomiting, muscle aches and mild cold symptoms.
The student Health Center is not the only place to get the vaccination locally. CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens in Fairfield all offer it for $20 to $25.
Despite statistics as to why people should get the vaccination, students have mixed feelings about getting the flu shot.
Junior Dana Charles got the flu shot on Tuesday. She said, “My arm is kind of sore, but I’ve got a smile on my face.”
Junior Monique Pabon agreed on the importance of getting vaccinated. “I already got my flu shot. I get one every year at my doctor’s because school’s flu shots are too expensive.”
Senior Vitch Jean-Jacques isn’t planning on getting the shot, though. “I feel I don’t really need it. I rarely get sick so I feel it is not necessary.”
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