| Flu vaccines run out again |
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| Written by C J Patton | ||||
| Wednesday, 02 November 2005 11:00 PM | ||||
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The health center ran out of influenza vaccinations Wednesday, but Assistant Director Frank Calhoon anticipates receiving more no later than Nov. 18. Calhoon said the center will make every effort to notify students as soon as the new vaccination shipment is available. “We’re just going to have everyone watch the Web site, or we’ll put out a notice on UTA Today,” he said. “As soon as we get it in, we’ll send out the notice the same day.” He said the center has experienced a higher demand for flu shots, due to last year’s nation-wide shortage, and the total amount of vaccinations has been increased to compensate. “We usually give around 1,200 to 1,300 doses,” he said. “We upped it to [1,500] this year. Because it’s been out there, it’s been a little more public notice.” Communication assistant Shelli Ogburn said the vaccinations come in spurts, and 900 of this year’s shipments were sent in the beginning and the remaining 600 will ship later. She said the center didn’t expect to use the initial doses so soon and that the company producing the vaccines, Aventis Pasteur, will send the remaining doses. “That’s the deadline. We’re hoping to get it in before that,” she said. “Hopefully, we’ll get it in before the 18th, because that’s cutting it a little close.” Although the center was only guaranteed its original 1,500 vaccines, Calhoon said he will do everything he can to make sure students get their shots. “We’ve given 900 doses in two weeks, so it may not be enough if things keep up the way they have been,” he said. “If the company has some left, we’ll make every attempt to get some more for the university community.” Ogburn said she wasn’t certain why the demand is so high this year, but speculates that recent events might have made people more aware of the risks. “My suspicion is that, mainly, the shortage from last year put everyone on the alert about it,” she said. “Secondly, the avian flu — that’s made people a little more skittish.” International business sophomore Camille Stampp said she has already been vaccinated but thinks the center’s shortage could pose serious problems if an epidemic broke out. “It’s the school’s responsibility to make sure that they have enough,” she said. “It’s definitely a fault on the university.” Stampp said there is no reason the center should have run out, and thinks it should plan better in the future. “You don’t use and use and use until it’s all gone,” she said. “If they know they’re running low, they should order more, just to be cautious.” Views: 71 | E-mail
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