Only 1,500 influenza vaccines were ordered for Syracuse University’s faculty and approximately 19,000 students this year.

The university has already had to order more, according to Kathy VanVechten, director of nurses at SU Health Services.

Almost 2,000 people have been vaccinated so far in the free clinics offered through SU Health Services and the Worklife Wellness Committee, hosted by the Office of Human Resources.

Three flu vaccine clinics have been held so far, beginning Oct. 14. For students, faculty and staff who could not attend one of the clinics, two walk-in sessions will be held Tuesday and Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at SU Health Services. An SU student or employee ID must be shown and a consent form filled out to receive a shot.

‘It’s important to get the shot, especially since we live in such close parameters with each other,’ said Jennifer Ling, a junior marketing major who attended Friday’s flu shot clinic for the second year. ‘If one person gets sick, another will get sick, and so on.’

New shipments of the vaccine have been ordered to supplement the growing need by SU students and faculty. The university was also forced to order more shipments in 2006.

Last week’s vaccine clinics were held in the Schine Student Center and were supposed to run through 2 p.m. Friday, but the clinic staff ran out of shots around 1:15 p.m. People were turned away and redirected to Health Services.

‘The demand for the flu vaccine this year has far exceeded the demand in the past, particularly from students,’ VanVechten said. ‘In recent years we have seen far fewer cases of flu, likely due to the increased interest in receiving the vaccine.’

Ernest Hemphill, a microbiology professor who studies bacteria and gene structure, said he cringes when he sees students in his classes rubbing their eyes. He said it bothers him because it’s a primary way to spread any illnesses, including the flu.

‘Personal hygiene is helpful in preventing the onslaught of the virus, but very difficult,’ Hemphill said. ‘Getting the vaccine is by far the best method to avoid infection, aside from locking yourself in your dorm room and never coming out or associating with people.’

It takes about six months for manufacturers to produce the millions of doses required for seasonal outbreaks. A vaccine formulated for one year may be ineffective the following year, since the flu virus can mutate over time and different strains prevail.

‘You have to make a prediction a year ahead of time to determine what strain will occur the next year,’ Hemphill said. ‘Last year’s prediction was off and the vaccines made were not particularly effective against one of the strains, so you know, sometimes they can be wrong.’

The flu onslaught can begin in October but is prevalent from December to January and particularly right after vacations on college campuses, Hemphill said.

Darren Consolati, freshman engineering major, made sure to get the flu shot Friday.’I don’t want to get sick, it can ruin your whole semester,’ he said. ‘So that’s why I came today.’

Justin Lee, sophomore information management major, said he doesn’t plan on getting the flu shot this year. He cited apathy as a reason why many students probably won’t get the shot either.

‘They think they’re immune from the flu,’ Lee said. ‘They don’t think it’s that serious to get the shot since the flu really only affects senior citizens and young children the worst. We don’t really need the flu shot as much as they do.’

Most people who get the flu recover in one to two weeks, but others can develop life-threatening complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis, according to the World Health Organization Web site. There are more than 200,000 hospitalizations of severe illnesses stemming from the flu and up to 36,000 deaths every year in the United States.

At first, some might not be aware they are infected with the flu, since many of the beginning symptoms are the same as cold symptoms.

‘Generally with influenza, you have several respiratory problems,’ Hemphill said. ‘It feels like a cold, only 10 or 15 times worse. You’ll get muscle aches, congestion. It can be really debilitating. Sadly, by the time you recognize the symptoms, you’ve already been spreading the wealth.’

To prevent the flu, students and faculty should cover their mouths while sneezing and coughing, and wash their hands regularly. But ultimately, getting the flu shot is their best bet, Hemphill said.

‘Even though the vaccine isn’t 100 percent effective, overall it has a pretty good reputation,’ Hemphill said. ‘Unless you’re going to wash your hands every five minutes, then it’s unlikely you can protect yourself from getting sick without the shot.’

blbump@syr.edu

Published on October 26, 2008 at 12:00 pm