With Swine Flu still affecting many here at UCF, students have been wondering when the H1N1, or Swine Flu, vaccine would become available. Beginning this week the UCF health Center has been providing free vaccines for students. But they may be surprised to know that it is not a needle, but a nasal spray.
The H1N1 vaccine with is self administered has been described as and easy and suitable solution to injection.
But students are still unsure if they will get the vaccine.
“I don’t know, really I might wait till next year,” said sophomore Matt Delatorre. “I’m afraid since I had [swine flu] about a month ago, it might just flare up again.”
Other students believe it is unnecessary.
“I don’t really see swine flu as big a threat as some people do,” junior Eileen Herbert said. “I mean, people die from the regular flu. I think that people really only should get vaccines for stuff like that if they live with children.”
Many students, though, really appreciated how convenient it is to sign up for a vaccination — and that they got them for free.
“My friend told me yesterday that were handing free vaccinations, so I said sure why not,” freshman Haris Moore said. “All I did was walk in and they handed me an application and said show up at 2:30.”
We spoke with Dr. Michael Deichen, Medical Director of UCF Health Services, about what students should know before getting the vaccine.
“The spray is intended for otherwise healthy persons, what we say is if you are under 50 years of age and you’re not pregrant and you are not suffering from a chronic disease, this is a good vaccine for you,” Deichen said.
He also warns that students may experience a runny nose and to take precautions by washing your hands, to decrease the chance of passing on the virus.
For more information on the H1N1 vaccine and when it is being administered, visit www.ucf.edu/flu.
