Why I Chose to Get the H1N1 Vaccine
December 7, 2009 | ama83
Some people want to call it an epidemic, though that is a slight exaggeration at this point. The H1N1 virus (AKA swine flu) has made plenty of people paranoid, while others remain unconcerned and take little precaution in the matter. Luckily, most of our schools are doing their best to stop this virus in its tracks.
In the early stages of the spread of the virus, schools threatened to close down completely if enough students were discovered to carry the germs around campus. The idea was to have students finish their work through correspondence with their teachers via e-mail. However, a new step in precaution is being taken. Instead of surrendering to the germs, many schools are fighting back by offering free swine flu inoculations.
Yes, most schools seem to offer yearly flu shots, but at schools like Evergreen Valley College, they actually gave out free swine flu shots to students and school employees. Now that’s taking care of their campus.
Depending on the school, the free shots may only be available to those who are more susceptible to catching the virus – the elderly, pregnant women, students with medical problems, etc. However, whether it is free or not, it is highly recommended that these shots are taken to prevent catching and spreading this virus any further. I recommend checking your own school for availability of the vaccine.
Although I had never had a flu shot in my life, I saw the necessity of taking this one. Working in close contact with many students at work, I did my part and took a shot for the people around me. It didn’t really hurt much. The nurse stuck me in the back of my arm (behind the bicep). It was quick and only pinched a tad. I did find that the spot I was shot was a little sensitive for a day or two, but that was really the only side-effect I experienced. For those afraid of needles, a form of the vaccine in a nasal spray is offered.
It is commendable to see the action these schools are taking to keep everyone healthy on campus. And yet it’s incredibly frustrating to find that so many other people do not give any consideration at all to the matter. What irks me is that even with all of these worries there are still plenty of students who come to school sneezing and coughing alongside other students and faculty. I highly doubt these individuals can avoid the numerous posters plastered all over campus reading, “Avoid the Spread of Germs!” “Wash Your Hands!” “Don’t Come to School Sick!”
The precautions that the schools are asking from everyone is not a matter of paranoia, it is a matter of consideration. I have plenty of students come to me – tissues in hand – asking me for help with their papers, only to breathe directly into my face while they are snorkeling through their runny and stuffed noses. At that point, the hand sanitizer isn’t going to save me from the germs I just inhaled.
Yes, it is nice to see that there are students so committed to their education that they will go to school even if they are sick. But what about spreading germs? What about the other people who don’t want or cannot work when they are sick? Not everyone is as susceptible to getting sick as other people, but some have weaker immune systems and cannot fight germs as easy. Everyone has different immunities.
The next time you decide to go to school with a fever, consider that you are sneezing and coughing your germs into the classroom, to share with everyone else. The people joining you in class could be affected by your flu twice as badly as you are. Simply said, if you don’t care about your own health, at least care about others. Take the H1N1 shot to prevent the spread of the flu. Stay home if you’re ill. And at the very least, wash your hands!
I agree. It is highly commendable that a college takes part in caring about the people on their campus.