With flu season approaching in October, the UH Health Center is still offering influenza vaccinations for students, faculty and staff who are worried about stuffy noses and coughing.
UH Health Center has been offering the vaccination for almost three weeks and will continue to do so until supplies last.
"Since students, staff, and faculty come in contact with so many different people and are often in situations where there are large crowds in a small area it is easier for viruses to get spread to one another," Chief Nurse Laura Moore said.
Architecture freshman Anthony Nguyen plans on getting his flu shot whenever he gets the chance because a few of his family members, including his aunt, have already gotten sick because of the virus.
"She carries tissues around everywhere she goes. Even though she’s always stressing to everyone to take care of their health, she’s the one who gets sick the most," Nguyen said. "She looks miserable.†I’m definitely getting my shot to avoid that."
The shots are available for $16, which is lower than most pharmacy stores, Chief Pharmacist Kizzy Steward-Judie said.
Walgreen’s and CVS will offer flu shots beginning October at $25 and $30 at select locations.
Price aside, Moore said for the benefit of everyone, people should invest in influenza vaccinations.
"I think it is important for everyone on a busy university campus such as ours to get a flu shot. Protecting yourself before the flu actually hits is the best prevention for staying healthy this flu season," she said.
†Freshman international business major Neemesh Chheda caught the virus two weeks ago and said he "suffered for an entire week."
"I felt pretty weak and I didn’t feel like moving.†My head hurt and I couldn’t eat," Chheda said. "I really regret not getting the flu shot because had I gotten it I wouldn’t have spent the entire week lagging in school and not being able to focus on anything."
Convenience is also a reason for those at the University to come to the center for their shots, Moore said.
"Being able to stop by the Health Center between classes or during your workday can save someone a lot of time," she said. "They would otherwise have to spend taking off work or driving to their private physician’s office."
Though a relatively large supply of the flu vaccine is still available at the center, Steward-Judie urges students and faculty to come in soon for their shots.
"Once we have exhausted our current supply, we are not expecting more shipment of the vaccine until the following flu season," Steward-Judie said.
Steward-Judie said that up until Thursday, the pharmacy had dispensed 220 doses. The amount of people who have come in for a flu shot is hard to compare from last year’s figures since the vaccinations are still being administered, Health Center officials said.
The Health Center has offered flu shots since 1992, and no qualifications are necessary other than being part of the University.
"You can walk in and ask for it. You don’t need a doctor’s order," said Nurse Practitioner Virginia Miller.
Cases in which people who have side effects after receiving the vaccines are low. Influenza vaccines generally cause only mild side effects that last 24 to 48 hours, which include "sore or tender arm at the injection site or possible fever, chills, headache or muscle aches," Moore said.
"Most people who receive the vaccine either have no reactions or only mild symptoms," she said.
Those who receive the vaccine are asked to stay at the center for 15 minutes in case of an allergic reaction or any other serious effects that it may cause. In case of any emergency, the staff members there are able to respond to the problem.
"I think everybody should get it. It takes awhile for you to build up antibodies so that it covers you," Miller said. "So you can’t wait until there’s a big flu outbreak and then come get your shot because it’s going to be too late."
Vaccines are available on a "first come, first serve basis," and the wait times might be longer during lunch and afternoon hours, Moore said.
Vaccination hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on all weekdays except for Wednesday. On Wednesday, flu shots are available from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The health center is not open on the weekends. For more information, call (713) 743-5155.
