Demand for flu shots increases
9/18/2009
By Laura Podgornik
Staff Writer
Photos by Jordan Doffing
Student Jeff Surlaski recieved a flu shot Thursday.
Every year, UWS Student Health Services offers flu and pneumonia vaccines to students, staff and the general public on campus. This year, however, demand for the flu vaccine has significantly increased.
Dawn Schulze, director of Student Health Services, acknowledged that fact.
“We’ve had a great turnout this year,” said Schulze. “It’s not even noon and we can already tell there are more students receiving the vaccine than previous years. People are more alert this year.” The vaccination was made available to students in RSC from 11 AM to 2 PM Thursday.
Student Jeff Suralski opted for the flu vaccine this year but said he typically does not receive the yearly vaccine.
“With all the talk that’s going around, I just wanted to be safe. I’d rather not have the flu than have it,” said Surlaski. Although, he doesn’t know anyone affected by the flu yet, Suralski says he will be receiving the H1N1 vaccine when it is made available.
“Our focus is on prevention,” said Schulze as she continued to chant, “Flu shots! Flu shots here!”
Along with the vaccination, students were offered bottles of hand sanitizer and “UWS Flu kits.” Inside the kit is a pamphlet entitled Fight the Flu, along with two hand-sanitizing wipes, a fact sheet on the flu, a pocket guide on cold and flu prevention, and a pack of Smarties candy.
All students are encouraged to receive the vaccination as the threat of the H1N1 virus looms over college campuses. The current vaccination protects against the seasonal flu but also reduces the effects of the H1N1 strand.
The vaccinations are made available to students through a contract UW-Superior holds with Douglas County.
Dawn Schulze, director of Student Health Services, acknowledged that fact.
“We’ve had a great turnout this year,” said Schulze. “It’s not even noon and we can already tell there are more students receiving the vaccine than previous years. People are more alert this year.” The vaccination was made available to students in RSC from 11 AM to 2 PM Thursday.
Student Jeff Suralski opted for the flu vaccine this year but said he typically does not receive the yearly vaccine.
“With all the talk that’s going around, I just wanted to be safe. I’d rather not have the flu than have it,” said Surlaski. Although, he doesn’t know anyone affected by the flu yet, Suralski says he will be receiving the H1N1 vaccine when it is made available.
“Our focus is on prevention,” said Schulze as she continued to chant, “Flu shots! Flu shots here!”
Along with the vaccination, students were offered bottles of hand sanitizer and “UWS Flu kits.” Inside the kit is a pamphlet entitled Fight the Flu, along with two hand-sanitizing wipes, a fact sheet on the flu, a pocket guide on cold and flu prevention, and a pack of Smarties candy.
All students are encouraged to receive the vaccination as the threat of the H1N1 virus looms over college campuses. The current vaccination protects against the seasonal flu but also reduces the effects of the H1N1 strand.
The vaccinations are made available to students through a contract UW-Superior holds with Douglas County.
