Lamar University’s Student Health Center will host its annual flu clinic, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Oct. 9-10, in the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center. Vaccines are $28 for students and $30 for faculty.
Nancy Dover, assistant director of medical services, helps administer the vaccines during clinics.
“We always order plenty of vaccines for the whole flu season,” Dover said. “We are fortunate to be able to get more flu vaccines when we need it.”
The preventative vaccine does completely protect you, but it increases chances of not contracting the disease and can also help someone recover quicker if they do get it.
“The vaccine is about 95% effective,” Dover said. “Not everyone is going to have the same response, but overall, it gives you a better chance of not getting the flu.”
The vaccine takes about two weeks for protection to develop. There can be side effects after receiving the vaccination, but it is just the body’s response to building a protection, Dover said.
The process of receiving a vaccine is quick and easy, Dover said, and medical workers are set up as soon as someone walks through the door.
“It probably takes less than four minutes,” Dover said. “We just have a quick little sheet we have you sign in that has your name and your L or T number. We give you information about the vaccine, and then we administer the vaccine, so it’s very quick.” With cooler weather coming in, the odds of contracting the flu rise, Dover said, making it important that students, faculty and staff take advantage of the vaccine drive..
“We always have a goal to at least do 300 (people) over the season,” Dover said. “We’ve been fortunate the last few years to hit that goal, but you always want to do more.”
For more information, visit the Student Health Center website at shc@lamar.edu, or call 409-880-8466.