With the autumn season in full swing, many students realize the weather is getting colder and their work load is getting larger. What they may not realize, however, is that autumn is also flu season.
The University, in conjunction with University Health Services, is currently offering a limited number of influenza vaccinations to the student body.
But what should concerned students know before paying for the $10 shot?
The vaccine works by causing antibodies to develop in the body within two weeks of treatment, which in turn provides protection against the influenza virus infection.
As with any viral vaccination, there are several risks involved.
“It’s a serious consideration…there can be allergic reactions,” said Julian Shepard, an associate professor of biological sciences, adding that the potential risks of flu vaccination are “not too cool.”
“My feeling is that there are risks in anything,” said Johanne Fiore-Conte, administrative director of University Health Services, when asked about the risks involved in receiving a vaccination. “The flu can make you real sick…and most people tolerate [the vaccine] well.”
While the vaccine is approved for use only among healthy people between the ages of 5 and 49 years, it is also recommended for “high risk” patients, such as those with chronic medical conditions.
Though there are more vaccines available than there were during last year’s shortage, supplies at BU are still limited, and Fiore-Conte recommends that interested students get vaccinated as soon as possible.
“We ordered 1,000 doses, and received 600,” she said.
While the flu season is of primary concern at BU, with the recent barrage of media attention regarding the avian bird flu, many are concerned with the disease’s potential for harm.
Anne Clark, an ornithologist and professor of biological sciences at BU, described the virus, which is transmitted directly between birds, as somewhat related to that of influenza.
In respect to the level of risk the avian flu holds, Clark highlighted that the majority of the effects have been seen in Asia, where the virus is thought to have originated.
“The total number of cases in the world is minuscule; there is no evidence that it’s here [in the U.S.] or in any domestic bird population,” she said. “The reason people are panicking is the high variance in clusters.”
Of the 109 cases of avian flu reported in humans in areas of South East Asia from January of 2004 to July of 2005, there has been a 72 percent mortality rate.
Be that as it may, Clark herself is not quick to sound the alarm.
“I certainly wouldn’t panic…I don’t think anyone can predict what [the avian flu] is going to do.”
As for the future of the virus, Clark said she could not be certain.
“Right now, it’s this cloud hanging over the horizon, but this cloud isn’t raining on us.”