The OCU Campus Clinic hosted a flu shot drive.
The Campus Health Clinic offered a series of flu vaccination sessions for the campus community on Sept. 24, Sept. 29 and Oct. 1. The clinic is continuing to administer flu shots by appointment 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Flu shots on campus are covered for insured individuals. For individuals without insurance, the vaccine costs $25 for a Quadrivalent regular dose, and $55 for a Quadrivalent high dose needed for individuals 65 years and older.
Antonia Pratt-Reid, owner of the Family Healthcare and Minor Emergency Clinic at OCU, wrote in an email the flu vaccination sessions are an annual event.
“It has always been important to get a flu shot. This year is most important to help us distinguish between flu and COVID-19,” she wrote. “If we can prevent influenza cases by getting a flu shot, we may be able to identify COVID-19 a little easier.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommends individuals get their flu vaccination this year, particularly individuals who may be at high risk for the flu and COVID-19.
Pratt-Reid wrote that it’s beneficial to get a flu shot every year due to the changing nature of the illness. According to the CDC website, the annual estimated deaths caused by influenza since 2015 have varied between 22,705 in 2015-16 and 61,099 in 2016-17.
“Each year, the influenza is a little different from the past year, as it mutates. Some years the virus is extremely harmful, and we see more than average increase in the death rates. Influenza cases can be reduced with a vaccine. It is important to get a flu shot every year,” she wrote.
Nathan Leblanc, music theater junior, said he got a flu shot after hearing about the drive from an informational email sent out to students.
“I figured if my insurance covered it, I might as well get one and protect myself, so really it was a ‘why not’ thing,” he said.
Leblanc said he hasn’t gotten a flu shot since he came to college, but the uncertainty of the pandemic influenced his decision to get one this year.
“It’s important to stay healthy anyway, but now it’s even more important,” he said. “Obviously, I don’t think it will protect me from COVID, but if I can avoid being sick at all, that’s ideal. You don’t want to get the flu and they quarantine you because you’re sick.”
Pratt-Reid also wrote that the clinic is considering hosting more vaccine drives this semester.
Students can contact the campus clinic to schedule an appointment by calling 405-208-5090 or submitting the secure intake form on their website page.
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