Little advertisement, low turnout for free flu shots

Flu season is coming and health officials at VCU are eager to get as much of its student body vaccinated as possible. The only problem is that not enough people seem to know about it.

“I hadn’t gotten the flu shot in several years,” said Stephanie Puszka, a graduate student. “So I was really excited when I heard that I could get it for free through school. But I was stunned when I kept bringing it up to my friends-none of them knew about it.”

Every September, an influenza vaccine is introduced in hopes of helping people avoid catching the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend getting the shot every year between September and mid-November, before the December-to-April flu season hits.

Because an estimated 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population contracts the flu each year, VCU is determined to administer as many free flu shots as it can.

Jeanine Uzel, VCU’s immunization coordinator, said in a place where there are constant crowds, like a college campus, the vaccine is more important than ever. However, most students miss the opportunity to receive the vaccine.

A major problem facing the VCU Student Health Services is student awareness.

“We try to get (resident assistants) of freshmen dorms involved in telling students, as well as nurses around campus,” Uzel said. “But for the most part, people find out through word of mouth.”

During the first few weeks of the fall semester, Uzel sends out an e-mail to every student about the free shot. The e-mail, along with a small link on the VCU Student Health Services home page and a few posters around campus, constitute all the advertising that’s been done.

“I wish we had more students coming in for this,” Uzel said. “For the past few years, our method of advertising the shot has been the same. Although we usually use up our supply, it’d be nice to see more people get vaccinated.”

Trudy VanDyke, a nurse at the health center, said fewer students have shown up to receive their free shots compared to the center’s usual turn-out at this time of the year.

“Usually the Monday after the fall reading days, we have kids lined up outside to get the shot,” VanDyke said. “But this year, hardly anyone was here. It was just another normal day.”

Uzel said, “About 200 students have come and gotten the vaccination so far this year. I expect 1,000 total by the end of April, about the same as last year.”

Each year, the CDC reports that more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die from the flu. The virus is generally passed from person to person by an airborne transmission like sneezing or coughing.

“We’ve never advertised in newspapers or with local radio stations because our business has been good and grows a little each year,” Uzel said. “I think people are becoming more aware of this service.”

“We’re in a bit of a flux right now with all of the construction. Things have been a little off, but we’re trying.”

Uzel said the amount of advertising for the flu shot will not change.

“Like every year, we will rely mostly on word of mouth. Hopefully the students that hear about this will tell people that it’s free, it’s harmless and it only benefits you.”

IMMUNIZATION WALK-IN HOURS
Information provided by Iva Radman

MONROE PARK CAMPUS
Sports Medicine Building
1300 W. Broad St
Suite 2200

Monday & Wednesday
8:30 – 11 a.m.

Tuesday & Thursday
2 – 3:30 p.m.

Friday
10 – 11:30 p.m.

MCV CAMPUS
VMI Building
1000 E. Marshall St
Room 305

Monday & Wednesday
8:30 – 11 a.m.,
1- 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday & Thursday
8:30 – 11 a.m.

Friday
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.,
12:30 – 3:30 p.m.