Amaris Alarcon
Every year in the United States, roughly 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet 25 of 100 flu vaccines available to Pierce College students last year were thrown away.
More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die from the flu every year, according to the CDC.
While there are many different flu viruses, the vaccine protects against three of the strains that produce more health complications during flu season. The vaccine can protect people from these three viruses or it can reduce symptoms of other ones. People will also take other precautions when out and about, like wearing disposable gloves if in a public area and needing to touch things, wearing a face mask to reduce germs being inhaled, always keeping hand sanitizer on them, the list can go on for what people can do in daily life.
“I like to do it around September and October because that gives your body roughly two to four weeks to build up antibodies before the flu season begins in mid-December,” Beth Benne, R.N., director of the Student Health Center said.
Benne said these antibodies develop in the immune system against the virus strains that are introduced into the system through the vaccine.
The flu vaccine provided by the Student Health Center is not a live vaccine, but an inactive vaccine which means that it cannot give someone the flu.
Many people refuse to take the vaccine because they believe they will get the flu from the vaccine.
“I’m not taking it,” Pierce student Vico Rovico said. “I took it and two weeks later I got sick with the flu.”
According to Benne though, people who get the flu after vaccination probably already had it and didn’t show symptoms right away, because people can be contagious with the flu four days before symptoms occur.
“People associate getting sick with the vaccine,” Benne said, “but what really happens is that they probably exposed themselves without knowing it right after they take the shot.”
Last year’s flu vaccine only worked in 30 percent of the cases. The reason why this happened was because the flu that struck the country last year had mutated.
The flu goes through cycles and it usually last for years. Because the cycle changed last year, the vaccine that was given out was not as effective as previous years.
“I know this year there is a new strain,” sai student Sindy Membreno. “So I am planning on taking the vaccine because it will protect me from last year’s crazy virus.”
If the virus mutates this year, the CDC will try to identify the mutation and incorporate it into next year’s vaccine. If the virus does not mutate then this year’s vaccine will be effective.
“It’s a catch-up game,” Benne said. “We are playing catch up with the flu from the previous year.”
This virus is often confused with the gastroenteritis flu, the “stomach flu.”
Flu is short for influenza, which is a respiratory virus infection that can cause any range of symptoms including fever, body ache, fatigue, lack of appetite and headaches. Sometimes nausea and vomiting is involved but that’s not always the case.
The CDC recommends people get the flu vaccine because they say it is the first and most important step in protecting against the virus.
Benne said there is no shortage and there are plenty of companies that got approved by the FDA to produce it, so vaccines are readily available.
The flu vaccine is available at the Student Health Center by appointment and it is only $12 this year, rather than $15.
Any student interested in receiving a vaccine may call the Student Health Center and schedule an appointment at 818-710-4270.
Influenza shots are available in the Student Health Care Center. The cost for the potential sickness-saver is $12 and an appointment to see the nurse must be made beforehand. ()
