On Thursday October 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Center for Student Health and Counseling is hosting a flu shot clinic for students in the Smith Memorial Student Union, room 101 Parkway North. Availability will be on a drop-in basis—first come, first serve.
Getting vaccinated against the influenza virus is important for students because of their constant contact with a wide variety of individuals, including living in a dorm or even just going to class.
There haven’t been a lot of reports of influenza hitting the Portland area, but without the vaccination, you’re at a higher risk of getting the flu, Dr. Mark Bajorek, medical director of SHAC, said.
“The flu is often confused with a cold, but influenza symptoms include a temperature of over 102 degrees, diffuse muscle aches, body aches and sometimes eye pain,” he said.
This clinic is open to all students taking one or more credits this term at Portland State. There is a $15 fee that is charged to your student account, but for students who have student insurance with Aetna, the event is covered by the insurance.
Some students have a higher risk of getting the influenza virus, Bajorek said.
“Students who have asthma, respiratory problems, or are pregnant [are] some [who would be considered] high risk,” he said, “as well as students with rheumatoid arthritis, compromised immune systems, and inflammatory bowel disease.”
The shots that will be given out by SHAC are a single dose vaccine, so there is no mercury or thimerosal in them, which Bajorek knows is a concern for people.
“No one wants that in their system,” he said.
The vaccine does contain dead viruses of three main strains of influenza, and some students may experience slight side effects from the vaccine.
“Less than 15 percent of those vaccinated may experience swelling at the site of the shot, some body aches or headache,” Bajorek said. “You might not be on your A game for the first day or so after receiving the vaccine, but you’ll be protected from the virus and won’t get influenza.”
If you have symptoms of influenza, Bajorek advises going into SHAC as soon as possible to take their rapid influenza test, and if you do have the flu, SHAC staff can get you started on influenza therapy to get you feeling like yourself again.
For students who are unable to attend the event, flu shots will be available at SHAC starting Friday, October 11.