Despite last year's nationwide flu vaccine shortage, which prevented most students from receiving flu shots from University Health Services (UHS), students will probably have access to vaccinations on campus in the coming weeks.
"Last year there was a major shortfall," said Dr. Peter Johnsen, a physician with UHS. "This year looks better ... We should get a full supply."
UHS has yet to receive its complete supply of vaccinations, and has so far been able to offer vaccines only to those students with preexisting health conditions, as per government regulations.
UHS plans to offer flu vaccinations to the University community during their FluFest health and wellness festival. The event was originally scheduled for this coming weekend, but organizers were forced to reschedule due to the delayed supply of vaccines from distributors.
"We're coming to availability later than anticipated," Johnsen said. "We don't have a guarantee of the vaccines ... [but] we're quite hopeful based on what the CDC [Centers for Disease Control] is saying."
The event is now tentatively scheduled for Nov. 28 and 29.
By encouraging students to get vaccinated for the flu, Johnsen said UHS seeks to "decrease the number of virus opportunities for student-to-student transmission."
In past years, UHS has offered vaccines to approximately 5,000 members of the University community, including students, faculty, staff and their dependents.
The first FluFest took place in 2003. Last year's vaccine shortage disrupted plans to hold a similar event.
"We had [hoped to offer] it last year as well, but due to the shortage of the flu vaccinations, we were forced to cancel," said Gina Baral, Director of Health Promotion and Wellness Services.
During this year's FluFest, vaccines will be available at a fee of $15 for students, faculty and staff, and $20 for dependents. No appointments are necessary.
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