Flu shots still available, supply limited

Jen Dixon Staff Writer

As the campus braces itself for the hectic final weeks of the semester, Vassar is also preparing for the flu season. In planning its flu vaccination clinics, Health Services follows the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for each year in terms of what to expect for the specific season.

The CDC website, keeps track of national flu statistics, currently describing the flu activity in the United States as “low,” and the flu activity in New York State, specifically, as “sporadic.”

The CDC recommends that people who are most at risk for complications from the flu be especially sure to receive their vaccinations several weeks prior to the height of the flu season, which runs from November through April each year.

It takes approximately two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against infection.

Taking the CDC’s yearly recommendations into account, Vassar Health Services estimates what the needs are for the College’s population.

Each year, they usually order slightly more than the amount used the year before.

Last year, however, there was a worldwide flu vaccination shortage, and after holding several vaccination clinics for those people most at risk on campus, the College donated a large portion of the 400 vaccines ordered to the Poughkeepsie Health Department. Students who requested flu shots were required to provide a reason for getting the shot, such as compromised immune systems, or chronic illness.

This year, Health Services ordered 450 vaccines to make sure there would be enough. On Nov. 2, a clinic was held for faculty, students, and staff at high risk due to additional health problems.

Since then, students have been able to make appointments at convenient times to receive a vaccination.

As of Nov. 28, 163 students and 254 employees had been vaccinated. Although the remaining vaccines are available for those who request them, according to Director of Health Service Irena Balawajder, there have not been many recent inquiries.

The only requirement is that people who receive a flu shot ought not have a fever when they get the vaccination. There are several possible side effects to the flu vaccine, and having a shot while running a fever can make these side effects more dangerous.

In addition to requests for a standard flu vaccination, Balawajder said that Baldwin has been receiving a significant number of inquiries regarding the H5N1 virus, or the avian flu.

Although the flu vaccine offered by Health Service does not protect against the avian flu, Balawajder believes that it has “driven the demand for flu shots, since there’s so much uncertainty about it.”

“We can gauge what we need for next year,” said Balawajder. “If there’s an increase in demand, we can order more.”