By Carleton Atwater
Due to a national shortage that could leave more Americans with the flu, Northeastern University may not receive its normal supply of the vaccine this year, making the prospect of getting a shot more difficult for some students.
California-based Chiron, the makers of half the U.S. flu vaccine supply, informed health officials Oct. 5 that it would not ship any influenza vaccines this year.
“We are unsure how many vaccines, if any, we will be receiving this year,” said Lance Hopkins, interim executive director of University Health ‘ Counseling Services (UHCS).
For the past four years, UHCS has provided flu and meningitis vaccines for the Northeastern community. This year, however, the flu shot will not be offered, Hopkins said. The meningitis vaccine will still be offered on one day — Nov. 8 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the McLeod suites.
Because of guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Aventis, the company who has supplied the university in the past, has chosen to hold back its distribution of the flu vaccine this year and only allow high-risk individuals to receive the shot, Hopkins said.
According to information on the CDC Web site, www.cdc.gov, high-risk individuals include people who suffer from asthma and diabetes as well as health care workers, pregnant women, people who live with infants, the elderly and anyone who is immune-compromised or has chronic health conditions.
Despite the lack of vaccines available this year, many students said they are not worried about the flu.
“As long as people with asthma and old people get the shot it shouldn’t be that big a deal. I don’t usually take any extra precautions during the winter,” said senior pharmacy major Jenny Dang.
Other students said they do not think there is that much to worry about.
“I’ve never gotten a flu vaccine; I don’t think it’s natural. I don’t think people should get them unless it’s a life threatening condition for them. I don’t take any precautions in the winter and I haven’t been really sick in five or six years,” said Matt Kankash a sophomore chemical engineering major.
The Massachusetts Depart-ment of Public Health released a statement last week asking people who are not at risk to avoid getting the flu vaccine this year.
“We need the help of everyone to make sure that the limited amount of flu vaccine goes to those who truly need it most,” the statement said.
One alternative to the flu shot is a nasal-spray vaccine, known as FluMist. However, supplies of that drug are limited as well because it is not produced in large quantities that could serve as a replacement for the vaccine, according to www.cdc.gov.
“It is much more expensive than the traditional flu shot and [the CDC] is not sure what the distribution of that drug will be at this time. If we find that something like that is available, we will write prescriptions for students,” Hopkins said.
The immunization programs, Hopkins said, have been very successful in the past.
“Around 500 people sign up for the flu shot and between 500 and 1,000 for the meningitis shot each year [at Northeastern],” he said.
If legislation signed by Gov. Mitt Romney holds up, then starting in the fall of 2005, freshmen will be required to receive the meningitis vaccine or sign a waiver, Hopkins said. While many colleges and universities across the country require incoming students to receive the meningitis shot, it is only “strongly” recommended for Northeastern students.
As for the flu vaccine, no one is required to get the shot, but there are lists citing “priority groups” who will be among the first to receive the vaccine, Hopkins said.
Although it is too early to predict the severity of this year’s flu season, Hopkins said people should not be too worried over a crisis.
“Students should not be concerned about an epidemic,” Hopkins said. “However, we should all be more cognizant of covering our mouths when we sneeze and cough. It’s all really simple stuff but that is what the CDC is giving us right now as options.”
In the face of all of this, hand washing has become even more important as a preventive measure, Hopkins said.
“Everybody should take extra precautions about washing their hands this year. This is something that cannot be overemphasized. We all touch things like handrails and doorknobs everyday. As the winter progresses those things carry more and more germs,” Hopkins said.
