The forecast says colder days are ahead and this means it is time to bring out that heavy winter jacket and think about getting a flu shot.
SUNY Oswego will host flu immunization clinics in October, which will be open to students, faculty and staff in partnership with Wegmans Food Markets’ pharmacy services.
Dr. Peter Doyle, director of Northeastern University’s health services in Boston spoke to NPR about the impact that the flu can have on college students.
“True flu, as distinguished from an ordinary cold, can be two weeks of aching joints, aching muscles, high fever, pounding headache, inability to get out of bed, shaking chills, a completely disruptive illness,” Doyle said. “Colleges now are typically between $15,000 and $25,000 or more a semester, if someone is sick for two weeks, you can gut the core of your semester. You may have to redo or dump your courses for that time period and lose $25,000.”
According to NPR, some students each year end up with dangerous cases of bacterial pneumonia that can follow the flu and this can occasionally lead to a previously healthy young adult dying. Every year, about 1 in 4 college students gets the flu.
According to results from a Nation Foundation of Infectious Diseases (NFID) survey conducted online by Harris Poll in October 2017 of 1,005 U.S. college students, 70% college students in the U.S. believe it is important to get an annual flu vaccine, less than half say they typically get vaccinated.
SUNY Oswego hopes that by offering free flu shots they can prevent this illness from spreading across campus. Clinics will take place the following dates and times, all in The Space in Marano Campus Center, with online registration required:
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The immunization is covered by most insurance and Wegmans will handle billing.
There are a few tips that students should keep in mind prior to getting the flu vaccine. Anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian on the phone to authorize the shot and organizers will document this on their paperwork. If a student does not have their insurance card on hand, then a photo of the card on a phone is acceptable. For ease of process, attendees should wear short sleeves, under an outer removable layer if necessary. Students and staff should also remember to stay hydrated prior to getting their shot.
Anyone coming to the clinic should remember to bring proof of insurance as well a pen, although organizers will have some pens as backup. Participants should wear masks and follow other health regulations.
The college is also offering a limited amount of flu vaccine to students through Health Services and by appointment only. If students are unable to make it to the on campus vaccine clinic there are other locations in the City of Oswego that are offering the shot, including Kinney Drugs and Walmart pharmacies. All questions or those needing accommodations can contact Health Services at 315-312-4100.
Image from SUNY Oswego via Oswego.edu
