As the winter months approach, the risk of spreading and catching illness increases. In an effort to be proactive about fall sickness, the Center for Health and Wellness is offering influenza vaccines to students on campus.
Flu clinics have been offered in the Faculty Staff Dining Room (across from Hoot ‘n’ Scoot) last week, with another clinic on Wednesday October 30.
Director of Health and Wellness at Keene State College, Christine Burke, said that the center offers three flu clinics every fall. “Those are scheduled around dinner time, as a way to make it easiest for students to come by,” she said.
Burke said that the shot costs $15 and can be put on the students accounts.
“In the event that students can’t make or didn’t make any of the clinics, they can come up to the health center anytime that we’re open and get one,” she added.
According to Burke, The Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone get a flu shot. Burke also stated that students in college have a weaker immune system.
“Things like sleep, stress and alcohol all contribute to a weakened immune system, which will cause you to pick up a virus easier,” Burke explained.
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Burke said that her aim is to create a healthier campus.
“I try to encourage everyone to do it just from a public health perspective. The flu is something that’s pretty contagious, so if you’re exposed to it and you’re not vaccinated then there’s a pretty good chance that you’ll get it,” she said.
The shots can also be found off campus at a pharmacy or at student’s own medical provider. “Anywhere else will probably have the option to bill insurance, which is a capability I don’t have here on campus,’ Burke said.
Burke suggested CVS Pharmacy as a possible place for students to receive the shot.
“There are a lot of places where students can get it for nothing, the shots here are done for convenience,” she said.
However, there is controversy that exists around flu shots from people claiming that the vaccines made them get the flu itself or that the shots have damaging effects on people’s health.
According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention website, there are possible side effects from the flu shot. However, the effects are “mild and short-lasting,” also according to the site.
“I think that there are a lot of myths out there that people would get the flu from getting the flu shot, and that is incorrect. If the person does get the flu after they get the vaccination, then more than likely it’s because they already got the flu,” Coordinator of Wellness Education, Tiffany Mathews, said.
“I don’t even think it would be beneficial to name any type of cons, just because most that I would name would be the myths, which are not true,” Mathews said.
“Maybe one percent of people have had any sort of negative affect. It comes down to personal choice and what your personal medical provider suggests,” Mathews continued. Among students, the decision of whether or not to get this year’s flu shot vary from person to person.
“It makes you feel awful, like, you have the flu for a day after you get it,” freshman Cecily Macari said when asked about her flu shot experience two years ago.
“But maybe I’ll get it this year, because now I live in a college dorm and it’s offered on campus,” Macari said.
“I’ve gotten one [flu shot] before. It usually makes me sick for a day or two, but then I’m fine. And I’ve never had the flu,” freshman Karissa Dunn said.
“I would get one here on campus now that I know they’re doing them here; it’d be a little easier than walking out to a pharmacy somewhere,” she said.
For students uneasy about getting the shot, the Center for Health and Wellness offered some advice. Burke suggested that the number one thing students do is wash their hands. “I also recommend that if people are sick, they stay home. Sitting in class and coughing and spreading germs isn’t a good thing,” she added.
“All the things that your mother always told you to do. Get enough sleep, eat your fruits and vegetables, minimize alcohol consumption, all of those things contribute to you being healthy,” she continued.
“The vaccine is like another layer of protection, but ultimately it comes down to personal health choices,” Burke said.
Brendan Keenan can be contacted at Brendan.Keenan@ksc.keene.edu