(Photo by Andrew Norsworthy)
Flu vaccines were made available to students and faculty to combat the approaching fall Flu season beginning on Tuesday.
The Medical and Counseling Care Center (MACC) conducted flu shot clinics at various locations throughout the ACU campus starting at the Halbert Walling Research Center Lobby on Tuesday. The next was Thursday at the Campus Center. These events will occur throughout the month with the last occurring on Oct. 22.
The flu virus, unlike other pathogens, does not stay the same and mutates each year and requires a new vaccine in order to keep it in check.
The Center for Disease Control recommends that one takes the flu vaccine by Oct. 31 due to the fact that it will take a few weeks for the body to build immunity. Therefore, once the height of the flu season arrives, students will be prepared.
These flu vaccines offered on campus will consist of regular shots for students and high dose shots for older citizens.
“The No. 1 preventative measure you can take as recommended by the CDC is actually to get the flu shot,” said Cindy Gravitt, practice manager at the MACC.
Even though it is still possible to get the flu, it is likely whatever is contracted will not last long and the effects will be far less severe. This is because the flu shots given will cover and immunize students from the more dangerous strains of the virus.
Additional methods in order to decrease the likelihood of contracting the virus is cleanliness such as thoroughly washing one’s hands with soap and avoid sharing liquids, makeup and towels because the virus can spread easily through these means.
“I really push forward for getting vaccinations. It’s better safe than sorry,” said McLennan Taylor Jones, a sophomore ACU nursing student, CNA, sitter, and telesitter at Hendrick Health System.
It is recommended in order to schedule a flu shot, students log into ACU’s medical clinic patient portal and make an appointment. Office visits for undergraduate and graduate students will be $10 and the flu test in the campus clinic will cost $25. Students can still walk-in to receive the vaccine.
