Students waiting outside the Student Health Care Center Thursday had more on their minds than the upcoming Thanksgiving break.
About 1,400 students stopped by the center to receive the H1N1 vaccine between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
They met with medical professionals under the check-in tent to discuss whether to get thevaccine as an injection or as a nasal mist.
Kat Lindsey, marketing coordinator for the SHCC, said the center received 1,850 doses Monday, including 500 nasal mists with the live virus. The rest were injections with the inactive form of the virus.
Lindsey said the injection is mainly for high-risk patients, especially those with chronic conditions.
She said people may think the live virus is dangerous, but it is perfectly safe for any healthy person younger than 25.
“That’s why we’ve had the medical staff set up to talk to folks and give them the option,” Lindsey said.
Senior Jennifer Frey got the vaccine because she has asthma and her doctor recommends she gets flu shots.
“I decided this was the right choice, especially because I talked to people in the medical community and they said they definitely recommend it, and they’re getting it for themselves and their family,” she said.
Senior Kaylee McCall said she got the injection because she is traveling out of the country after she graduates and will be spending eight hours on a plane.
However, she said she feels the injection is only necessary for travelers or people with health risks.
”I think you build up an immunity to it just being around it,” McCall said.
Lindsey said the center’s administrators will meet Friday to discuss how they will distribute leftover doses.
She said they will be offering more vaccinations at the Reitz Union Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
