An estimated 2,200 University students, faculty and staff participated in McCosh Health Center's influenza and meningitis immunization program yesterday, said Pamela Bowen, the University health services director.
The University has offered flu and meningitis shots twice a year since 1999. This year's turnout, however, is a dramatic increase from the 680 immunizations performed last spring, Bowen said.
Recent anthrax scares may have encouraged more people to partake in the program, explained immunization program director Eric Scelza.
Anthrax exhibits symptoms that are virtually identical to those of the flu — including fatigue, muscle ache, chest pain, sinus problems and difficulty breathing. As a result, many Americans have sought to immunize themselves against the flu this year to eliminate confusion between the two infections.
Although the Centers for Disease Control have stated that it does not recommend additional flu shots be given out this year in light of the recent anthrax attacks, the University continues to encourage students to take advantage of its program, which includes free flu vaccinations.
"Based on last year's numbers, we projected roughly 1,000 doses for this year, but it seems as though we [gave] that many just in the first hour," Scelza said.
While demand for flu immunizations has increased each year since McCosh began the program, the number of students requesting meningitis immunizations has been decreasing annually because more incoming freshman are receiving the vaccine during the summer before matriculation.
"Demand for the flu vaccine has gone up over the years, but nothing like this," Scelza said.
Waiting in a line that at times extended into the Frist dining area, many members of the University community expressed their concerns about the recent anthrax attacks.
Pat Fox, an administrative assistant in the molecular biology department, said, "I don't want to get the flu and then have to take Cipro because it might be confused with anthrax."
The flu and meningitis shots expose the immune system to inactivated flu viruses types A and B or polysaccharide antigens from four strains of meningococcal bacteria. In response, the body produces antibodies to the strains of flu or meningitis, which protect them against those diseases.
The flu vaccine offers protection up to six months, while the meningitis immunization protects an individual for three to five years for four of the five strains of meningococcal meningitis.
Since the University began the free flu immunization program for students, the number of flu cases requiring admission to McCosh Health Center has dropped from 120 cases admitted in the 1998-99 school year to 24 last year.
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