The flu season has arrived once again, and many Penn students are expected to line up outside Student Health Services for their flu shots.
This year, Student Health officials say they are much better prepared to fight the flu virus than they were last year.
After they ran short of the vaccine at the beginning of the last flu season, Student Health officials say they've arranged to buy many more shots this time around.
Officials had estimated in the early fall last year that they had enough vaccines, but still experienced a crunch in early 2006.
"This year we have as much as we need," said Evelyn Wiener, Student Health director.
She did not say exactly how many doses of the vaccine Student Health had ordered, although she placed it in "the thousands."
Wiener and her staff have already begun setting up appointments to provide the shots. Students will likely not be turned down for receiving the shot, and only need to make a short appointment to get the required dose.
Students should specifically indicate that they want a flu shot when making appointments, Wiener said, to avoid being mixed up with the general immunization program at Student Health.
The flu vaccine - which costs $25 per shot, and is covered by Penn's student insurance - is now available in two forms. The traditional injected form is now accompanied by a newer alternative, a nasal spray called Nasal Mist.
There is some evidence that the spray is actually a superior vaccine, Wiener says.
Although Student Health will try to accommodate every student who wants a flu shot, officials say that they will begin by targeting some groups that they think are more susceptible to the virus.
These groups include students with diabetes, asthma and some cardiac problems along with students in the health care industry and social workers who are more exposed to the virus.
But Penn isn't the only one stocking up on flu shots. Clinics all across the country are much better prepared this year to meet the rising demand for flu vaccines.
According to a statement released yesterday by Jeanne Santoli - deputy director of Immunization Services at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - 115 million doses be available this year, with 75 million slated to be sold by the end of this month.
That would be an increase of 15 million doses from last October.
"It is difficult to predict exact demand for the vaccine" since some new vaccines are still pending approval by the Food and Drug Association, Santoli said.
But while Student Health and clinics nationwide are preparing for increased demand of the vaccine, for some Penn students, the flu just isn't that serious a problem.
"The time lost by getting insurance to cover the shot is not worth it," said Engineering senior Scott Ostrowski. Getting the flu "isn't so bad."
