Eric Anger, the pharmacy manager at ASU’s Tempe Health Services, said although the flu shot is not mandatory for students or faculty, physicians ask every patient if they would like the shot.
Despite their efforts, only 3,500 doses of the 4,000 flu vaccinations ordered by the ASU Pharmacy have been given to patients. Last year, all vaccinations were distributed.
“Last year, we did a little bit more (vaccinations), but it fluctuates a little bit from year to year,” Anger said.
The number of vaccinations may be lower than usual because students may be going off-campus to get the flu shot, or they may not be aware of the dangers of the flu, Anger said.
According to documents on the ASU Health Services website, the flu often brings fever, fatigue, a sore throat, headaches, a runny nose and a dry cough. Because the flu vaccination is inactivated, it helps to protect against influenza without causing the full symptoms of the flu.
Although Anger said some people who get the shot may see a slight temperature increase and body aches, these symptoms only last for about a day.
“Because the student population is younger, sometimes they don’t have a tendency to get vaccinations,” Anger said.
Although college-aged students typically have strong immune systems, the contagiousness of the flu is what makes it so dangerous, Anger said.
Anger said although most flu vaccinations are effective, the flu adapts and changes from year to year — so not all vaccinations can be successful in preventing the flu.
Urban planning junior Gabriella Lion got the flu shot this year, because she said she believes it prevents her from getting sick.
“I’ve gotten the flu shot every year since I was 8, and I have luckily only gotten the flu once," Lion said.
Other students at ASU have not been quite as lucky.
Health sciences sophomore Lauren Zimmerer has lupus and suffers from a suppressed immune system from medications she takes for it. Because of this, vaccinations make her very sick.
“I have gotten a flu shot before, but I got really sick from it a couple years ago,” Zimmerer said.
This year, Zimmerer will opt to take vitamin C and orange juice to boost her immune system instead.
ASU Health Services offers flu clinics every year where it also advertises the myths and advantages of getting flu shots.
Anger said that through these clinics, Health Services is doing its best to keep ASU students healthy during finals week.
Peak flu seasons at ASU are during finals week in December and after winter break in January, Anger said.
According to documents on the ASU Health Services website, the best ways to protect against the flu virus are to wash your hands, get plenty of sleep, eat fruits and vegetables and to get the flu vaccine.
ASU’s Health Services welcomes walk-ins between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The shot is free to students with insurance and $10 for those without insurance.
Reach the reporter at rbooker1@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @BeeBooks
