Starting on Thursday, Dec. 3, Roger Williams University will begin the first round of H1N1 vaccinations. H1N1, also, called "swine flu", has gripped the globe over the past few months harder than the Farnese Atlas. With the widespread outbreak of the flu blustered around the United States, many colleges and universities are offering free vaccinations for H1N1.
"The CDC has given a 60 percent response rate for the vaccine for the college age general population throughout the United States. We're encouraging students to take full advantage of the vaccination clinic that's being provided," said John King, Vice President of Student Affairs.
As rumors have speculated, H1N1 has reached RWU in near indolent numbers.
"Based on clinical symptoms RWU has had 175 cases of the seasonal or 'swine' flu. Though, only a dozen cases have been confirmed through testing by the RI Department of Health as H1N1," said Anne Andrade, Director of Health Services.
Since the arrival of the first few cases, the University has been anticipating the arrival of H1N1 vaccination. With a population of roughly 4,500 undergraduate students at RWU, it's an impossibility to vaccinate everyone in the first round of vaccinations.
"Based on the National Strategic Stockpile of state by state population that is Federally run, RWU will be given 2,700 doses for the first round of vaccinations. This comes to 900 doses per week over the courses of 3 weeks," Andrade said.
The vaccines will be administered in two fashions. The most readily available will be the intranasal vaccine. The vaccine is a mist that is administered through the nose using a weak form of the live virus. A smaller dose of the vaccine will be available for students with weak immune systems or asthma through an injection.
"810 intranasal vaccinations are obtainable each week, while only 90 doses of the injection are obtainable for students who are not fit to receive the intranasal form. Persons medical history and nurse screening will verify which students should receive the injection," Andrade said.
The order of which the vaccine will be administered to students is based solely upon those who are at high risk. High-risk students are freshmen and sophomores living in close quarter dorms such as Maple and Cedar.
For those still under the age of 18, a consent form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. Juniors and seniors and those living in looser living environments or off-campus apartments are next on the list.
"No negative feedback has arisen from the method of which the vaccinations are being administered. The population that's most at risk is the highest priority," King said.
RWU is not a POD (point of distribution) for this round of vaccinations. That means that RWU will be providing the clinic for its students and not the general population of Bristol. The R.I. Department of Health is putting school-age children at the highest priority. They've provided vaccinations for elementary and high school students and now college age students (18 to 24) up for this round.
When asking students around campus about the vaccination there were mixed reviews. Many claimed they weren't going to receive the vaccination.
Fifth year student, Peter Vishnia claims, "I will not be getting the vaccine because in the past, whenever I've received a flu shot I got the flu shortly thereafter."
"The vaccine contains chemicals that should not enter the human body. Type H1N1 vaccination and Google and read about it," Vishnia said.
All skepticism aside, H1N1 has shown itself at RWU and is circulating around the population.
The easiest way to access answers to any additional questions on H1N1 and the clinics can be acquired at www.rwu.edu under announcements titled, "Informational Update: H1N1 (Swine) Flu."
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