Exonians Receive Free Flu Shots for the Coming Winter

The Lamont Health and Wellness Center set up its annual Flu Clinic in Grainger Auditorium on Sunday, Oct. 9.  Every year it aims to keep students healthy for the coming flu season. Similar to last year, students lined up to receive the free shot during allocated times with their dorms.

About 680 students took the flu shot on Sunday, which did not include those who received the shot prior to coming to Exeter or students who received the shot with their primary care physicians (PCPs).

Associate Medical Director Benjamin Gardner stressed the importance of taking the flu shot. Although not foolproof, the purpose of the shots is to mitigate many effects of the flu, and the shots are highly effective. “You can occasionally feel a little bit off, but compared to the flu ... the best description of the flu is like getting hit by a truck for five days,” he said.

“Even though I felt like it hurt more than other shots have in the past, the fact that it was so quick and hassle-free made up for any little problems for me.”

Director of Nursing Nancy Thompson agreed with Gardner’s strong emphasis on flu shots. “Once you have [had the flu], you will never not get your flu shot again,” she said.

Although most students make a full recovery within five days, she mentioned that the intense work environment at Exeter makes having the flu more difficult. “Especially for Exonians, [being] out of commission for five days is not a possibility, it’s not even an option,” she said.

Although the flu shot is estimated to be only 60 to 85 percent effective, Thompson believes it is better than not getting one at all. “You’re not guaranteed immunity. However, if you were to get the flu, your symptoms are likely going to be a lot less severe. You probably won’t have as high a fever and you’re not going to feel as bad,” she said.

The only major change in this year’s clinic was the absence of flu mists, or nasal spray vaccine, which is a less invasive way of vaccination through the nasal cavity. This was not based upon the decision of the medical center, however.

“The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) did a study looking at the efficacy of that type of vaccine, and it was determined to be only about three percent effective, so they pulled it off the market,” she said.

Thompson also explained the necessity for students to take the shot annually because the type of flu and its strains change each year. Unlike other viruses, such as chickenpox, the flu is ever-changing, and a shot won’t provide lifelong immunity. “The flu is not a one shot deal,” she said.

With the flu already circulating around New Hampshire, Thompson encourages all students to take the shot sooner rather than later.

“It takes two weeks to develop immunity, which is why everybody has to come and get the flu shot,” she said. She hopes enough Exonians will have taken the shot to protect those who have not, a term referred to as herd immunity. “We’re ready to be healthy this winter,” Thompson said.

Most students have found the flu vaccination to be easily accessible, sanitary and efficient. Each dorm had an assigned time for residents to get the shot together, but senior Brian Choi said that “people who missed their scheduled times also had plenty of time to receive their shots at the Health Center.”

Since the assigned times were spread out throughout the day, most students found the process to be very efficient. Upper Noah Asch said he went to Grainger “around 8 at night and I was in and out in no more than three minutes.”

Students also mentioned the convenience of getting the flu vaccination on campus, as there are no other locations close by. Upper Maria Lee said she doesn’t “have to make an appointment somewhere else and find transportation to get there.”

The flu shot was available for all students on campus, including faculty children and day students.

“Without the clinic, I would have had to go to Portsmouth to get the shot,” Asch said.

Although the flu clinic was convenient for all, students’ opinions were divided on whether or not the flu shot was more painful compared to previous years. Upper Grace Khaner said, “Even though I felt like it hurt more than other shots have in the past, the fact that it was so quick and hassle-free made up for any little problems for me.”

Others said that the shot didn’t seem to have much of a difference compared to other years.

“My shoulder felt the same soreness as last year, but this year that discomfort went away relatively quickly; after a night I felt better,” upper Brian Choi said. “It was overall a great success, super quick and super painless,” Asch said.