Concerns about this year’s flu vaccine shortage manifested oncampus Monday morning as students began lining up at 6 a.m. at theStudent Health Center to get the shot.
The Student Health Center vaccinated 961 students, faculty andstaff against the flu yesterday, said David Rousmaniere, assistantdirector for business and technology at the Student HealthCenter.
Previously, the most students ever vaccinated in one day was651.
The line of about fifty students and faculty extended out thedoor at the Health Center by 10 a.m. Monday as people waited toreceive the vaccine. By 10:30 a.m., the line was moving so quicklythat workers could not estimate when the students would receivetheir vaccines.
The recent national flu vaccine shortage, as well as Universityadvertising, has caused the number of vaccine recipients topractically double since last year, said Greta Hanks, a biologicalsciences senior and a student worker at the Health Center.
Hanks said the line for vaccinations grows longer everyyear.
Many students said they always get the flu shot, regardless ofits availability.
“I get sick every Christmas and Thanksgiving,” said AprilWaguespack, an animal science senior. “I always get a flushot.”
The shots cost $10 for students and $15 for faculty and staff,Hanks said.
The Student Health Center said senior citizens, children ages 6months to 23 months, adults and children with chronic lung or heartdisorders including heart disease and asthma, and pregnant womenshould receive the flu vaccination.
It is also recommended that adults and children with chronicmetabolic diseases such as diabetes, blood disorders, such assickle cell anemia or weakened immune systems, and people withHIV/AIDS should be vaccinated for the flu.
The Student Health Center asks that healthy people between theages of 2 and 64 postpone or forego their flu shot so the availablevaccines will go to those most at risk.