For the first time, the Student Health Center’s Flu Shots On the Geaux campaign is offering the vaccine in Middleton Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 7.
The program kicked off its fifth year Monday in the Business Education Complex. It offers flu shots at different locations on campus from Oct. 6 to Oct. 10 for easy student access, said SHC Associate Director Julie Hupperich.
The shot is free for full-time students and available for a discounted $10 rate for faculty and part-time students. Non-students can get the vaccine for $20.
“We’ve tried to be strategic about where we offer them because we’ve found that students with no intention of getting the vaccine will see the process is really quick and go ahead,” Hupperich said.
The SHC got the word out through fliers and events, but Hupperich said social media was their most effective avenue. Some University-affiliated Twitter accounts, like Miller Residence Hall, tweeted to remind students.
Biological engineering senior Laura Theriot said she liked knowing where shots would be given each day so that she could plan to drop in between classes.
Hupperich said the process takes about 15 minutes on average, including wait time and a short, post-shot observation.
Hupperich said the most shots per hour last year were given at the Student Union at lunch time, but because of its central location, she expects Middleton Library to be busy as well.
According to a report released in September by the Centers for Disease Control, less than half of Americans are being vaccinated against the flu virus, which kills more than 30,000 people each year. Among adults aged 18 to 64, only 34 percent are vaccinated.
Hupperich said while flu shots are easy to get, she thinks the disparity comes from people who believe the flu shot won’t help them.
While college-aged students are typically not at risk for the most severe cases, Hupperich said living and learning in close proximity increases their chance of contracting the virus, adding that missing class could have a severe impact on a student’s academics.
Environmental engineering graduate student candidate Rose Oubre said she was getting her flu shot because it had been “a living nightmare” juggling school and being sick the week before.
“When you get the vaccine, you’re not just protecting yourself,” said Hupperich. “You’re protecting your roommates, the members of your organization, the people in your classes.”
Biological engineering senior Christopher Sylvester said he’s glad the University provides this program because the more people who get the flu shot, the less likely he is to get sick.
Last year’s campaign administered 2,700 vaccines, a 10 percent increase in participation from the previous year. This year, the SHC ordered 3,000 vaccines.
According to the CDC, vaccinated people are best protected through six months of the year. Hosting the campaign in October will carry students through what is considered flu season, Hupperich said.
“We’re just hoping every year we make it more convenient so we can provide the vaccine for more students,” Hupperich said.
The SHC is asking that everyone wear short sleeves and bring exact change to expedite the process. Hours and locations can be found on the Student Health Center website.