By Stephanie Starks | Staff Writer
Flu season has come to Baylor’s campus once again, but to prevent the spread of influenza, Baylor Health Services is offering free flu shot clinics in areas that students, staff and faculty frequent.
A flu shot clinic will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 27 in rooms 201 and 202 of the Bill Daniel Student Union Building. From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 28, a mobile clinic will also be in the lobby of the Sid Richardson Building.
In Texas, influenza activity begins to pick up in October and falls again around May. From December to February, flu activity will be at an all-time high.
According to the National College Health Assessment (NCHA), 11% of college students reported being diagnosed with the flu or contracting flu-like illnesses.
“Flu is highly contagious, especially with [Baylor students’] interactions with one another in close proximity,” Lilia Gonzalez, director of nurses at Health Services, said. “When [students] catch the flu, they can be down for a couple of days, which equals out to missing class and staying sick. It is probably best for every student to get a flu shot, as it is a good way to prevent the illness.”
The flu vaccine being offered to students, staff and faculty is the thimerosal-free Trivalent Fluzone vaccine, which protects them against three strains of the flu and is covered by insurance. This is the same vaccine that would be offered by other flu vaccine providers, according to the CDC.
“We try to meet students where they are,” Gonzalez said. “That way, students do not need to make an off-campus trip to protect themselves and others against the flu. [Health Services] can serve more people if we bring the flu vaccine to them.”
Getting the flu vaccine is the most practical way to avoid getting the flu. However, there are also other ways to avoid getting sick.
“Students need to cover their cough, wash their hands frequently and try to stay away from sick people,” Gonzalez said. “They don’t need to go out with their groups if they are sick. It is also a good idea to avoid touching their face a lot.”
La Quinta, California, senior Jenna French got a free flu shot from Baylor to protect herself against the virus.
“[Getting a flu shot] was something on my to-do list,” French said. “All of the nurses were very kind, and they were very efficient at the clinic.”
Michelle Herbelin, administrative operations manager at Health Services, said there is no reason not to get the flu shot while at Baylor.
“Students should know that all of [Health Services] work with other students every day,” Herbelin said. “They should not be scared of the medical staff that is administering the vaccine. It can even be a fun experience. It is a good atmosphere to get in.”
Health Services bills insurance if students have it. If they do not have insurance, or if it does not cover the cost of a flu vaccine, Health Services does not pass that cost on to students or employees.
“It is effectively free for people to get their flu shot,” Herbelin said. “Everyone is also very kind and skilled at what they do, so there is no reason for students to stress about getting their flu shot.”
French said students should take advantage of this opportunity while these vaccines are still free.
“The nursing staff and the students [helping them] are very good at their job,” French said. “[Students] can always bring a friend for moral support if they feel apprehensive.”
Although college students have to start taking charge of their health on their own, Herbelin said they are not alone because Health Services wants to meet students where they are.
“A little ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” Herbelin said. “Whatever preventive measures students can take, especially ones that do not impact their budget, are important to avoid spreading the flu.”
Health Services recommends skipping the line for the vaccine by signing up online with enrollment code TX66658. Staff administering the flu vaccine can move faster when patients make a scheduled appointment.
