News

H1N1 vaccine arrives

CLARION, Pa., Nov. 18 – It takes 10 minutes, tops. It doesn’t hurt as much as you may remember as a child; in fact, Keeling Health Center is giving it out like candy.

The H1N1 influenza vaccination has been administered every day this week after Keeling received 2,500 doses from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.
Out of those, about 500 vaccinations have been administered at Clarion University.
Monday’s schedule brought in 173 students, faculty and staff, while Tuesday brought 132 to the Gemmell Multi-Purpose Room.
On Wednesday the location switched to the Eagle Commons.
“The MPR doesn’t get as much student traffic as the Commons,” said registered nurse Darlene Hartle of Keeling.
Health care workers on campus, University Police and adults with chronic health problems on Clarion campus were also encouraged to get vaccinated.
However, only 10 percent of the community has rolled up its sleeves. East Stroudsburg University only administered 17 doses on its first day, but Kutztown went through 1,100 doses in the same amount of time.
While students whizzed past the nurse’s station set up in the Common’s corridor, Keeling’s Administrative Director of Health, Wellness and Counseling Susan Bornak offered some statistics.
“There have been just fewer of 30 confirmed cases of H1N1 at Clarion University,” said Bornak. “They are all completely recovered and back in class, but should most definitely still get the vaccine.”
“Kids think they’re invincible and won’t get sick,” said Bornak. “The more we vaccinate, the more it protects the whole campus.”
Anyone ages 2 to 24 is considered in a high-risk category, which also includes pregnant women and those with health issues such as heart or kidney disease, respiratory problems or asthma.
Those who have had an organ transplant are also at high risk because they would have a lower resistance to any lingering viruses.
If the allotment of H1N1 influenza vaccinations is not used up, the remaining doses will either be used to immunize other areas or given back to the State Health Department.