With flu season quickly approaching and a shortage of fluvaccines in the United States, many University students are worriedthey will not have the opportunity to get the vaccine.
Last week Chiron Corp., a British corporation and major UnitedStates supplier of the flu vaccine, was shut down by Britishregulators because many of their vaccines were contaminated anddeemed unsafe.
Timothy Honigman, medical chief of staff at the Student HealthCenter, said they have 2,000 vaccines, the same number of fluvaccines they had last year.
Honigman said last year the Health Center ran out of the vaccinein four days. But he said they were able to order 400 more.
Honigman said he would not be surprised if the Health Center ranout of vaccines next Wednesday, three days after the vaccine ismade available. He said the shortage did not affect the HealthCenter because Aventis Pasteur, the company they buy the vaccinesfrom, did not have a shortage.
Honigman said Chiron Corp. had the contaminated flu vaccines,which caused the shortage.
Michelle Cacamo, a psychology junior, said she is glad she willbe able to receive the vaccination because she was worried aboutthe shortage.
Cacamo said she was excited when she received the e-mail fromthe Health Center announcing the availability of the vaccines.
Honigman said the Health Center ordered the flu vaccines inFebruary to prepare for the flu season this fall.
Honigman said if the Health Center ran out, they probably wouldnot be able to get more because of the shortage.
Although the Health Center has not been asked to give up itssupply, Honigman said he thinks it is important to help studentsbecause the University is “a close-knit community. We want to keepthe community as healthy as possible.”
Nikki Johnson, an education senior, said she does not plan ongetting a flu vaccination because last year she received a vaccinefor the wrong strand of flu.
“I will just take my chances [with the flu],” Johnson said.
Honigman said the flu vaccine protects against three strains ofthe virus, two type A and one type B.
Honigman said the flu season usually begins in mid-December andlasts through March. He said fortunately the campus is fairly emptyat the start of the season because of winter break.
Honigman said he hopes this flu season will be mild, but Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention has not released theirprediction.
Flu vaccines will be given at the Health Center from Oct. 18through Oct. 21. All University students, faculty, staff andretired faculty and staff are eligible for the vaccine.