Most students can get the novel H1N1 vaccine for free at the Student Health Center if they missed their chance at the Wellness Fair last week.
The center offers the nasal spray vaccine8212;not the general shot vaccine. To get the nasal vaccine, students must make it through a list of criteria, including not having respiratory issues such as asthma. The nasal spray vaccine has been available on campus since Oct. 6, when it arrived in time for the U’s annual Wellness Fair.
It isn’t known if or when the center will get the shot-administered vaccine, said Cindy Powell, nurse manager for the Student Health Center.
“Both vaccines will protect from H1N1,” Powell said.
The center is flooded with people trying to prevent the H1N1 flu and is trying to heal those with the flu, Powell said.
At this point in the season, anyone with influenza-like symptoms, including a cough, sore throat and a fever of more than 100 degrees most likely has the H1N1 flu, as opposed to the seasonal flu, Powell said.
According to a Daily Utah Chronicle online poll, 75 percent of respondents don’t plan on getting the vaccine.
The Utah government launched a campaign to encourage Utahns to do what they can to prevent the spread of the flu by being a “flu fighter.” One of the best ways for students to not catch the H1N1 virus, aside from getting the vaccine, is washing their hands, Powell said.
Health officials recommend washing your hands for 30 seconds using soap. The Salt Lake Valley Health Department recommends that anyone who is sick should stay home for as long as they’re not feeling well. Staying home an extra day helps prevent spreading the virus because it can live on surfaces for up to one week.
Students should buy pocket-sized hand sanitizer to carry with them, Powell said.
Getting enough sleep, eating healthy and drinking plenty of fluids are also ways students can prevent getting sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Although the center has been busy treating students, none of the cases have been severe enough to hospitalize, Powell said. The Student Health Center doesn’t have any seasonal flu vaccines, but it isn’t a huge concern at this time because the flu season doesn’t start until the end of winter, Powell said.
Students can still get the vaccine until January, and it will prevent them from getting the seasonal flu.
Last week, health officials reported four more deaths in Utah caused by the novel H1N1, bringing the total to at least 12 since Aug. 30.