USU Receives First Shipment of H1N1 Nasal Mist Flu Vaccine

The Utah State University Student Health and Wellness Center has received its first batch of the H1N1 nasal flu vaccine. The center has 200 doses intended for students in the high risk groups.

The CDC has set the following target groups as high priority, based on studies of relative risks of the disease for different groups of individuals:

This last group includes patients with certain chronic medical or immunosuppressive conditions, diabetes, asthma, COPD/emphysema, obesity, neuromuscular diseases, immunosuppressive therapy and persons under 19 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy.

 

While the CDC includes these populations in the high risk category, they cannot receive the H1N1 flu mist vaccine that is currently available:

The vaccine is free and available at the USU Student Health and Wellness Center, 850 East 1200 North, just north of Romney Stadium. Clinic hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. A kiosk will be set up at the Taggart Student Center on the USU campus Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8-9, if vaccines are still available.

 

USU is expecting a total of 8,000-9,000 H1N1 doses available for the flu season. The next batch should arrive the last week of October.

 

USU President Stan L. Albrecht said in a letter to faculty and staff that despite anticipated short disruptions caused by the flu, the university should be able to carry out its educational mission. He said USU takes the health of its community very seriously and urges students and faculty to take proper precautions to help prevent the spread of influenza. All official information related to the H1N1 flu is available on the emergency management web site in the pandemic flu section. The president’s complete letter can be read online.