Marshall University made flu vaccines available to all students and faculty with a valid ID Tuesday in the Memorial Student Center.

Vaccines were administered through the help of the Cabell County Health Department and Marshall Health professionals.

Rosa McAllister, a full time graduate assistant for the Student Health Education Program ,was in the MSC helping students fill out the necessary paperwork for their vaccinations.

“We had a lot of left over vaccinations from last semester and we wanted to go ahead and set it up again for this semester,” McAllister said.

Some students do not receive the vaccine for various reasons, including not knowing where to get vaccinated, insurance costs or transportation to a location that will administer vaccines.

“It is free for all students and faculty just to make sure everyone has access to the flu vaccine that needs it that may not know where else to go to get it.” McAllister said.

McAllister said this could be a great opportunity for exchange students and others involved with the INTO program.

“We are around each other quite often and it is easily caught, McAllister said. “Also, during orientations, we have a lot of international students that ask when and where they can get the flu vaccine because they come in without any insurance, they are not familiar with the area. So it is very, very easy for them to come and do it here. They are a little more prone to the flu because they are not used to our climate and they are not used to the different germs that we spread around. Especially for the first time international students, it is much easier, I believe, for them to get the flu.”

Although the vaccine can help prevent students from getting the flu, it is not for certain going to prevent students from catching the virus. Students who are sick can worsen their conditions if they go unchecked.

“Getting the flu and of course not taking care of the flu can result in other problems,” McAllister said. “High fevers are very bad for your brain function and health in general. I think that is just overall good to do.”

Registered nurse from the Cabell County Health Department Carol Simmons, Marshall nursing student Marissa Schott and fourth year pharmacy student Delilah Navarro were distributing the vaccines to students.

“We are equipped to handle as many that greet us at our table and that are willing,” Simmons said. “The surrounding states have already been reporting more severe cases that anticipated. So that brings to light that maybe we need to introduce the flu vaccine and its availability.”

For college students who are constantly interacting and have a lot of responsibilities, it is important to keep health a top priority to help prevent sickness. When it comes to preventing the flu, Simmons and Schott gave some advice.

Simmons said that students and staff should makes sure their immune system is strong enough to fight off the flu. Schott said washing your hands, maintaining good hygiene and eating and sleeping right are essential in preventing the flu.

The vaccination is good for a year. While it is important to follow additional steps to protect oneself, the most important step, the vaccination, is now easily accessible on campus at least one time each semester.

Sabrena Hirst can be contacted at [email protected].