| OPINION
| October 12, 2004
Editorial/Our View
An Apple a Day Keeps the Flu Away
With flu shots in short supply,
those who don’t need one should find other ways to stay healthy
Flu shots are in high demand and
UTA received far fewer vaccines than expected. Those who are healthy
should try to leave flu shots for the very young, the very old and
people with health problems.
Student Health Services ordered 1,200 flu shots this year and only
received 300. The nationwide shortage is due to the United States
not receiving an expected 46-48 million doses.
This shortage simply means that not everyone can get a flu shot.
Shots should be reserved for those who have a high risk of serious
flu complications, according to the United States Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
And though being sick isn’t fun for anybody, most college
students can take a few days of the flu without serious medical
consequences. Of the approximately 36,000 who die from the flu each
year, most are 65 or older, according to the CDC.
This is not to say students don’t deserve to be vaccinated.
The shots offered at the Health Center for only $12 are intended
in part for UTA students. There are many people here who fall into
one of the categories of people for whom the shot is recommended:
pregnant women and many with various health problems, as well as
the elderly and young children.
If this includes you, consider being vaccinated, or if you have
a friend who you think qualifies, encourage them to get a shot.
For healthy, active students who don’t plan to get a flu shot,
lifestyle can make a huge difference in whether you get sick and
how long you stay that way. To avoid illness, it is imperative to
eat right, exercise, take vitamins and get enough sleep. Frequent
hand-washing and covering your mouth when you sneeze are important
in avoiding the spread of germs, according to the CDC.
Additionally, there are many different types of flu vaccines as
well as many different strains of the flu. There is a chance you
will become ill even if you get a flu shot. And the flu shot isn’t
an all-purpose winter vaccine — it won’t keep you from
getting a cold, bronchitis, or any other virus or infection.
With flu season upon us, everyone should be aware of their options
for vaccination and the risks of getting sick. But if you don’t
have special medical needs, consider improving diet and lifestyle
to stay healthy rather than a shot. And if you do get sick and have
to miss a couple days of work and school, just remember —
what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
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Editorial
round-up
The issue:
A shortage of flu shots is a local and national problem.
We suggest:
Try to reserve flu shots for those who have serious
health problems.
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