Students encouraged to get flu shots
It’s that time of year again, where accompanied with the changing weather comes flu season. The Bear River Health Department is offering flu shots to people in various high-risk categories.
Bear River Health does not expect to have vaccine shortages this year, however the vaccine supplies may be spaced out over the next couple of months, which is why the shots are initially reserved for those in high-risk categories, according to a Bear River Health press release.
Individuals classified as high-risk are residents of nursing homes and facilities for people with chronic medical conditions, people diagnosed with chronic medical conditions of the heart, lungs, kidneys, or immune system, and women in the last six months of pregnancy. Health care and emergency response workers and household members living with or caring for a person in any of those categories are also classified as high-risk, according to the press release.
“We are primarily pushing to first vaccinate the high-risk and those who come in contact with them,” said Mike Weibel, Bear River Health public information officer.
He said pending the availability of the vaccine, between Nov. 1 through 15, shots will be available to people 65 and older and to individuals classified in the high-risk category. Providers of essential community services, including the Olympic staff and foreign travelers will also be eligible, according to the press release.
“It’s kind of a balancing act,” Weibel said. “We don’t want to turn anyone away unless they don’t even come close to the requirements.”
Kim Lundstrom, a registered nurse who helps oversee the Bear River Health’s immunization program, said flu shots are a great way keep healthy this winter.
“We get quite a lot of students who come in to get flu shots because they say they don’t want to risk missing finals,” Lundstrom said.
Some students don’t feel the shots are necessary.
“I have never had a flu shot and I don’t usually get sick,” said Grace Zalit, a senior majoring in landscape architecture. “I thought they were only for the elderly anyway.”
Dinnene Jensen, a nurse for Student Health Services, said even though among the elderly there is a higher need for immunizations and individuals with chronic illnesses, students should also be vaccinated.
“You get 70-some-odd kids in a classroom this winter with closed window and doors, the risk of spreading germs is pretty high,” Jensen said.
Lundstrom said flu shots are for everyone six months and older, and during flu season every one is a little at risk.