Flu vaccines in high demand
Health center ran out of flu shot twice; 200 request H1N1 vaccine
Michal Elseth
Issue date: 10/8/09 Section: News
Flu vaccines are flying off the Ambler Health Center's shelves.
Maureen Cousino, a nurse at the Ambler Health Center, said she thinks H1N1 has made people more aware of the seasonal flu this year. So far this year, Ambler Health Center has run out of regular flu shots twice.
She said about 220 people have gotten the vaccinations so far, including both faculty and stu-dents. About 200 have requested the H1N1 flu vaccinations she expects to arrive in early November.
Recent nationwide public concern has focused on the safety of the H1N1 vaccine, which some people worry has been rushed to market too quickly.
But Frank Steiner, professor of biology, said he doesn't think the vaccine poses a problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and?Prevention, the vaccines have been tested for safety. The first round of nasal vaccines was released this week to select healthcare providers around the country.
Cousino said she thinks it's a good idea for every student to get the vaccines.
"It helps keep you healthy," she said. "I think it's worth it."
The first shipment of swine flu vaccines will contain a few extra vaccines for those who didn't initially request it, Cousino said, and she expects she will be able to order more as needed. She said she hopes to see a large percentage of Hillsdale College students get the vaccine.
"Usually flu shots are a good way to keep you from getting the flu, so the same should hold true for H1N1," she said.
For more information and regular updates on both seasonal influenza and H1N1, visit the Cen-ters for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.
Maureen Cousino, a nurse at the Ambler Health Center, said she thinks H1N1 has made people more aware of the seasonal flu this year. So far this year, Ambler Health Center has run out of regular flu shots twice.
She said about 220 people have gotten the vaccinations so far, including both faculty and stu-dents. About 200 have requested the H1N1 flu vaccinations she expects to arrive in early November.
Recent nationwide public concern has focused on the safety of the H1N1 vaccine, which some people worry has been rushed to market too quickly.
But Frank Steiner, professor of biology, said he doesn't think the vaccine poses a problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and?Prevention, the vaccines have been tested for safety. The first round of nasal vaccines was released this week to select healthcare providers around the country.
Cousino said she thinks it's a good idea for every student to get the vaccines.
"It helps keep you healthy," she said. "I think it's worth it."
The first shipment of swine flu vaccines will contain a few extra vaccines for those who didn't initially request it, Cousino said, and she expects she will be able to order more as needed. She said she hopes to see a large percentage of Hillsdale College students get the vaccine.
"Usually flu shots are a good way to keep you from getting the flu, so the same should hold true for H1N1," she said.
For more information and regular updates on both seasonal influenza and H1N1, visit the Cen-ters for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.
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