Swine flu vaccine arrives on campus
Eva Hollenburg
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: News
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a vaccine against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are two forms of the H1N1 vaccine. One is a traditional "flu shot," while the other is a nasal spray.
The CDC describes the H1N1 flu shot as an inactivated vaccine, meaning it has a killed string of the virus in it. It works much like the traditional seasonal flu vaccine, but does not protect against seasonal flu. For full protection, people should get both the H1N1 and the seasonal flu vaccines.
The other form of the H1N1 vaccine is a nasal spray. The CDC describes this as a live, attenuated intranasal vaccine (LIAV), which is sprayed into the individual's nose, rather than given in the form of a shot. Since this form of the H1N1 vaccine contains only a weakened virus, rather than a killed one, it has significant limitations on who can get it.
According to the CDC, the LIAV H1N1 nasal spray should only be given to people between the ages of 2 and 49. Women who are pregnant, people who have long-term health problems or people with weakened immune systems should not be given the vaccine as a nasal spray.
The CDC has recommended that pregnant women, people who live with or care for children less than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people between the ages of 25 and 64 who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems, get one form of the H1N1 vaccine.
A number of students at Eastern fall into one or more of these categories, including students involved in the nursing program. Within this program, students go to hospitals in the area to work among nurses and patients to prepare them for the field. Since these students are in hospitals and around patients, they have a good chance of coming in contact with the H1N1 virus.
"We aren't required to get the vaccine, but it is strongly recommended," said Betsy Kiethley, a junior nursing major. "I went to the health department and got the nasal spray. It was free."
The H1N1 flu shot has not yet reached Eastern's campus, but SHS does have the LIAV H1N1 nasal spray.
Students who wish to receive the vaccine must go to the SHS Web site, www.healthservices.eku.edu, print and fill out a "Consent to be vaccinated" form and bring it to SHS. Vaccinations are given Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and no appointment is necessary. Due to the limited supply of the vaccine, faculty and staff are being referred to their own physicians or the health department.
The CDC describes the H1N1 flu shot as an inactivated vaccine, meaning it has a killed string of the virus in it. It works much like the traditional seasonal flu vaccine, but does not protect against seasonal flu. For full protection, people should get both the H1N1 and the seasonal flu vaccines.
The other form of the H1N1 vaccine is a nasal spray. The CDC describes this as a live, attenuated intranasal vaccine (LIAV), which is sprayed into the individual's nose, rather than given in the form of a shot. Since this form of the H1N1 vaccine contains only a weakened virus, rather than a killed one, it has significant limitations on who can get it.
According to the CDC, the LIAV H1N1 nasal spray should only be given to people between the ages of 2 and 49. Women who are pregnant, people who have long-term health problems or people with weakened immune systems should not be given the vaccine as a nasal spray.
The CDC has recommended that pregnant women, people who live with or care for children less than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people between the ages of 25 and 64 who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems, get one form of the H1N1 vaccine.
A number of students at Eastern fall into one or more of these categories, including students involved in the nursing program. Within this program, students go to hospitals in the area to work among nurses and patients to prepare them for the field. Since these students are in hospitals and around patients, they have a good chance of coming in contact with the H1N1 virus.
"We aren't required to get the vaccine, but it is strongly recommended," said Betsy Kiethley, a junior nursing major. "I went to the health department and got the nasal spray. It was free."
The H1N1 flu shot has not yet reached Eastern's campus, but SHS does have the LIAV H1N1 nasal spray.
Students who wish to receive the vaccine must go to the SHS Web site, www.healthservices.eku.edu, print and fill out a "Consent to be vaccinated" form and bring it to SHS. Vaccinations are given Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and no appointment is necessary. Due to the limited supply of the vaccine, faculty and staff are being referred to their own physicians or the health department.
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posted 11/26/09 @ 7:21 AM EST
I do not understand this panic over H1N1 virus that exists all over the world!
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