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The Colorado Department of Public Heath and Environment has confirmed
3,957 flu cases, and still counting, from October. Thus, making Colorado
the second highest in influenza cases in the United States this year.
In response to the high numbers of flu cases the Health Center at
Auraria will be administering 2,000 FluMist vaccines on Thursday,
Dec. 4th.
Martha Eaton, Corridor of the Influenza Outreach at the health center,
collaborated with vaccine manufacturer Wyeth to provide the FluMist
vaccine.
“It (vaccination) comes at a perfect time,” Eaton said.
“Because the student population are more mobile and are connected
to more people, they have a higher chance of getting the flu virus.”
Charlie Roberts, a junior at Metro, has frequently been sick.
“School suffers the most,” Roberts said. “My employer
does not offer sick time for part-time students, so I usually end
up studying less during time of illness.”
The flu season is estimated to last until March, well into spring
semester.
The FluMist vaccine, administered by the health center, is targeted
to the student population.
According the Centers for Disease Control, the FluMist is the first
U.S.-licensed vaccine administered intranasally. It is a needle-free
vaccination.
The FluMist, a live virus vaccine, is for people between the ages
of 5 and 49 without health conditions such as asthma and heart problems.
It is different than the standard flu shot, which is not a live virus.
Some may feel slightly ill after the FluMist is administered.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reports
the 2003-2004 flu cases as being the highest in four years. The CDC
says this year’s flu virus is Type-A, which is one of the worse
strands.
The CDC also says 78 percent of Type-A infections are from a mutated
form of the Panama flu called the Fijian flu, which, unfortunately,
is not a part of the vaccine recipe.
‘Immunize Colorado’ Project Manager Anna Seroka, says
flu vaccination is still your best shot against the flu.
“The vaccine may not be a part of the mutated flu virus, but
it will protect you from the Type-A virus that is still out there,”
Seroka said. “Also, flu vaccination may shorten the duration
of the illness.”
Rachel Levine, a senior at Metro, received the flu shot in October
and has been sick this semester both before and after the flu shot.
“When I get sick I get sick for a long time,” Levine
said. “But this time, after the flu shot, it (illness) lasted
only two days.”
Both the flu shot and FluMist vaccine take two weeks to take effect.
The best protection against the flu, according to the CDC, is to
wash your hands constantly. Seroka also advised getting the flu vaccination
even if you have already had the flu.
“If you already had the flu this year, getting the vaccine is
still an option for protection against other flu virus strands,”
Seroka said.
The FluMist vaccine will be administered in front of the Health Center
at Auraria in the Plaza building. It will be available to students,
faculty, and staff.
The FluMist will be given on a first come, first served basis. The
health center will not charge for the vaccine.
Outside of the health center, the FluMist vaccine is estimated to
cost $45-50 dollars per dose.
An exact time has not been set for when the health center will start
administering the vaccine.
They will announce the time on the MetroConnect Web site.
If you have any questions about the FluMist vaccine, please contact
the Heath Center at Auraria at (303) 556-2525.
Flu clinic dates:
•Thursday Dec. 4th, noon - 7 p.m.
•Friday, Dec. 5th, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
•Monday, Dec. 8th, noon - 7 p.m.
•Tuesday, Dec. 9th, 9a.m. - 6 p.m.
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