Syracuse University Health Services had the highest turnout ever for its free seasonal flu vaccination clinic Friday. Approximately 1,600 students lined up outside Flanagan Gymnasium to receive a vaccination at the first of several clinics planned throughout the fall semester.

This is the earliest that Health Services has ever offered the clinic, said Carol Masiclat, a Health Services spokeswoman.

‘When I went 30 minutes early, there was already a long line, which is a good sign because we encourage students to get the flu shot,’ Masiclat said of the clinic, which was open only for students.

Kathy Van Vechten, associate director of Health Services, said that due to the large turnout, Health Services had to close the clinic 20 minutes early because they had already gone through the first shipment of 1,000 vaccines intended for the day’s clinic. They had taken more vaccines from the second shipment of 1,000 vaccines.

The next flu clinic will be held Tuesday in Flanagan, starting at noon, and will last as long as the vaccines last. The university might order more based upon the interest students showed at Friday’s clinic, Masiclat said

The university ordered 4,000 vaccines for the year-800 more than last year. They based the number of vaccines off last year’s turnout, and the fact they didn’t want to over-order and be left with vaccines they couldn’t return, Van Vechten said

Van Vechten was surprised at the turnout at first clinic because, in the past, students haven’t shown this level of interest in flu vaccinations.

‘I think more and more students are understanding the importance of the seasonal flu vaccination because the seasonal flu season happens in November and December, and students can be ill when they have work due for finals,’ Van Vechten said. ‘Also, publicity of the H1N1 flu has caused parents to encourage their students to get the regular flu vaccination.’

Students and faculty will be notified throughout the year about additional clinics. Dates for these depend on when manufacturers send the next shipment of vaccines, Van Vechten said.

In addition to the vaccine, Van Vechten advises students to wash their hands, to sneeze and cough into their elbows, and to not share eating and drinking utensils.

Vince Skovira, a junior biology major, said he plans on getting the flu shot on Tuesday. He has received one each year since he was in middle school. His logic: better safe, than sorry.

‘It’s free, and it can prevent you from getting the flu,’ Skovira said. ‘It just makes sense.’

Julie Fell, a sophomore elementary education major, will get the flu vaccine for the first time this fall.

‘I got the flu last year, and I had chosen not to get the shot. My roommate won’t let me hear the end of it because she was the one that took care of me,’ Fell said.

Masiclat said there is a campus-wide team of people dedicated to flu preparedness at the university, and they plan to send out messages to the community on how to avoid the flu with common sense precautions.

The team is also working with residence halls, fraternities and sororities to tell them how to keep people healthy, and help those who are already sick.

‘Get Better Food Packs,’ which have comfort foods like microwaveable soup and applesauce, will be provided through the Office of Food Services. The packs include tea, Gatorade, hand sanitizer, a disposable thermometer and bookmarks with helpful instructions for sick students and contact information for Health Services.

The university has been keeping in touch with other universities and colleges so they can monitor the severity of this year’s flu, Masiclat said.

‘We have been lucky so far because our numbers are low in comparison (to other colleges), but we just have to stay vigilant and diligent,’ Masiclat said. ‘We really care about making sure students stay healthy because students have a lot on their plate and the last thing they need is to get sick.’

krkoerti@syr.edu

Published on September 14, 2009 at 12:00 pm