H1N1: College Crisis

Signs like this are being seen nation wide to alert citizens of where vaccinations are available.

H1N1 vaccination clinic sign in Alberta, Canada, via Flickr.com

YPSILANTI, Mich.- Cough? Sore throat? Temperature over 100?

Do you have Swine Flu? The nation seems to be in an uproar over the current issues with the swine flu, and the lack of vaccinations. People around the United States especially seem to be in a rush to get to wherever the health department feels the shot is most needed, and save them-selves from the influenza. MSNBC stated that case number has met 21,000 as of November 5, 2009 and the death toll is at 87. Such numbers have everyone on edge about the spread of the flu, which is now being accepted as a pandemic. It also seems as if the college campus seems to be the breeding ground for such a deadly virus.

Students seem to be divided on whether or not they should get the vaccination on this campus. Some feel as if there is no doubt in their mind that the vaccine is needed, and others are avoiding it like the plague. Why would someone want to put that virus in their body? Many fear the shot will bring on the actual swine flu rather than preventing it. Which is the case with many people who have received other flu shots in the past. Rather than preventing the flu, the person attains the virus and suffers the consequences.

Many students also think it is pointless for them to receive such a shot, when a lot of the symptoms of swine flu are quite like the common flu. Some students are approaching this flu season like they would any other, and are not afraid of the consequences of getting the flu.

Here at Eastern Michigan University vaccinations have been made available to some of their students. To be able to get the vaccine you must meet the requirements of being a pregnant woman, a caregiver/ or in contact with children under 6 months of age, who cannot receive the nasal spray, or persons 17-64 with underlying medical conditions.

Lauren Nemeth is a customer service representative at Snow Health Center on Eastern Michigan University’s campus. Upon an interview she stated, “ I was surprised by the amount of students that have came into each of our H1N1 Flu Shot Clinics. We have had at least 90 at each clinic.” Nemeth also said that the University asked for around 5000 shots, but have been getting shipments around 200 every few weeks, depending on how the health department views it fit to distribute the shots. The next clinic would be Friday November 13, 2009 from 9- noon, and1:00 – 4 :00. The first session will be giving the shot form and the second will be the nasal spray.

No matter if one decides to get the shot or not the members of Snow Health Center, Eastern Michigan University and the Health Department recommend that people wash/sanitize their hands regularly, and cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing. Eastern Michigan University also has released this information via the Eastern Michigan University website: that EMU has documented 4 cases of H1N1 and 22 probable cases of influenza like symptoms, to be diagnosed or have a probable case one must have a temp over 100, a cough, and sore throat in the absence of another known cause other than influenza.

So as a student the question is: Vaccinated? Or not vaccinated?