Kevin Peyton/The Roundup
With the flu season rapidly approaching, the Pierce College Student Health Center has received 100 doses of the 2009-2010 inactivated influenza vaccine, which is commonly referred to as the “flu shot.”
There are two forms of the influenza vaccine. The inactivated version is applied by injection into the muscle. The live, attenuated vaccine can be administered in nasal spray form. The Student Health Center does not have the attenuated vaccine in stock.
The vaccination is available for $10. The Student Health Center does not accept credit cards as a form of payment.
It is important to note that recieving a dose of the inactivated influenza vaccine will not protect the patient against the H1N1 influenza outbreak.
The vaccine can prevent influenza, which can cause such symptoms as headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, sore throat, coughing and fever.
The vaccine is especially important to recieve for people with weakened immune systems or people with long-term health issues such as asthma, lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and liver disease.
It takes approximately three to four weeks for the vaccination to take effect, and the flu season typically begins in November and December.
“The sooner you get the vaccine, the better,” Beth Benne, director of the Student Health Center, advised.
Slight side effects to the vaccination, such as aches and soreness to where the shot was given, are possible but quickly fade within a day or two of recieving the shot.
Severe allergic reactions caused by receiving the vaccine are extremely rare.
The Student Health Center is located inside of the 600 building on campus and can be seen when walking along the campus mall across from the cafeteria eating area.
Appointments can be made by inquiring in person or by calling (818) 710-4270.
Appointments for returning patients typically last 15 minutes. An appointment to recieve the vaccine for a first-time Student Health Center patient typically lasts 30 minutes, due to the need of establishing a file for the patient.
The Student Health Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and also on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
To learn more about the vaccine, you can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by calling 1-800-232-4636.
“Seasonal flu vaccine is available for 10 dallors,” says Beth Benne, director of the Pierce College Health. (Takahiro Aono)