Friday students waited in long lines to receive the H1N1 vaccine in Talley ballroom. The vaccine was free with a student I.D. and available in a shot or nasal spray form. The clinic ran from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and served roughly 1,000 students.
In an e-mail sent by Student Health officials to the University, it described who would receive the shot versus the nasal spray.
The shot is administered to “high-risk” people whereas the majority of the population receives a nasal spray vaccine.
Brian Wells, a freshman in textile engineering, got in line after class and waited until he got the shot, or supplies ran out, whichever came first.
“I’ve been here since class got out at 1:05 p.m. and it’s now 2 p.m. If they run out that’ll suck but I’m not too worried about getting the flu, I’m just getting this as a precaution and it’s free,” he said.
Jerry Barker, director of Student Health Services, said the main goal was to provide the vaccine to all students.
“We didn’t want to put any barrier on students, it’s too critical to have. This is the first free vaccine we’ve given out,” he said.
Barker said it’s unfortunate students had to wait in line but said he is happy with the turnout.
“I hate that students had to wait in line. The people we contracted to do the clinic started out understaffed but we got more staff in. I’m pleased with the patience of the students and we’ll keep going till everyone currently in line is served,” he said.
Supplies expected to hold through the end of the clinic but some students wondered if there would be enough.
“I’ve been in line since 12:50 p.m. and it’s now 2:15 p.m. I’m close, but I will be frustrated if it runs out before I get there,” Lauren Popham, a graduate student in psychology, said.
Maxium Healthcare, who administered the vaccines, said they had at least 500 people receive the vaccine by 2 p.m. and expected 500 more.
Elaine Hark, a registered nurse with Maxium Healthcare, said they would cut the line at 3 p.m., taking those in line but not letting anyone else in.
“We predict to have enough supplies,” she said.
Hark said she told students there are no adverse reactions to the vaccine but those who received the nasal spray may experience some minor symptoms for a few days.
“The shot, or the dead virus, will not give someone the flu. Neither will the nasal spray, or the live virus, but one might have flu symptoms like a runny nose or sore throat for a couple days. Those will go away though,” Hark said.
Karen Laut, a sophomore in religious studies, said she received the nasal spray and waited the recommended 10 minutes before leaving the clinic.
“I was pretty worried about getting the flu. I have friends who have had H1N1. I waited two hours but I liked the nasal spray, it wasn’t bad,” Laut said.
Alicia Smith, a junior in plant biology, said she needed the shot.
“I have a chronic illness so I’m getting the shot because I’m a higher risk. I’ve been in line an hour so far, but I’ll wait as long as it takes,” she said.
The shot and spray were free to students with a valid student I.D. The vaccine was paid for by the federal government and Student Health partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina to reduce the administration costs for the vaccine to $12, which Student Health was able to cover under student fees.
Barker said it’s very important to get the flu shot.
“With all the national publicity and H1N1’s current status as a pandemic, we think it is crucial for students to receive the shot. It’ll do the whole University good,” he said.
The next clinic is expected to run faster and more efficient.
“We will have another large clinic on Wednesday to better serve more students, however this clinic will be nasal only,” he said.
ALT: [Barker said there will be another H1N1 clinic on Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.]
