Those interested in participating in the CSLEPS Alternative Spring Break program had the opportunity to voice concerns over the new requirement to receive the H1N1 vaccine before departure in March Monday.
Mike Giancola, director of CSLEPS, said correspondence was sent out Nov. 17 to all participating about the change in the requirements.
“We’ve been doing ASB trips for 12 years now,” Giancola said. “Whatever CDC and Student Health recommend, we require. We’ve done that since the beginning.”
Paulina Tran, a sophomore in biology, said she was worried about possible long-term effects the vaccine could cause.
“I haven’t gotten the vaccine yet,” Tran said. “I don’t want to put something in my body and then 10 years down the road have some long term effects.”
Tran said she and many members of her group, who plan to travel to Guatemala over Spring Break, are upset the vaccine is mandatory.
“It goes against a lot of cultural concerns and personal concerns,” Tran said. “You’re forcing me to put something in my body.”
Representatives from Student Health, like Dr. Mary Bengtson, medical director, were at the meeting to answer questions about the health issues concerning the vaccine. Students such as Tran were worried about the short length of time the vaccine has been around.
“They only tested it for a month and then just let it out,” Tran said. “It’s still relatively new. The time period is relatively short compared to other flu vaccines. What if it’s tomorrow and they find out that something happened to somebody who had the vaccine?”
Interim Associate Director of the African American Cultural Center Keith Powell said he could understand why some people would have a problem with making the vaccine mandatory.
“I have reservations about this. It’s a personal decision, but it has an impact on the collective group,” Powell said. “We have to weigh the benefits and the burdens. I’ve never had a flu shot. I have my suspicions about a quick drug that came out in such a short time frame. At the same time, if I agree to be part of a group that has made the decision … then I shouldn’t put anybody else at risk.”
Giancola said the main goal was to keep students and the people they work with safe and they were trying to consider everyone’s specific needs and concerns.
“We understand that the requirement is controversial,” Giancola said. “We are trying to think about what’s in the best interest of everyone.”
Felicia Baity, assistant director for African American Student Affairs, said some students opted to work within the country to avoid the vaccination process, but the new rule applies to them as well.
“This is a shock to a lot of students,” Baity said. “I’m having to compromise things I believe in. I’ve never had a flu shot. I don’t like to put medication in my body. I will regret not going, but I will regret getting the shot. I think it’s unfair to students to have to choose to do something they are adamantly against.”
Giancola said there are exemption possibilities for religious and health reasons, but no exemption for cultural reasons.
“If we offer a cultural exemption, we would have to offer a philosophical exemption,” Giancola said.
Adam Culley, assistant director of CSLEPS, said the organization would work with people who choose not to go on the trip to recoup any cost possible.
“Anything that we haven’t already spent or hasn’t already been committed to, we can refund back,” Culley said. “They still have a [airline] ticket they can use, usually within a year.”
