Students receive H1N1 vaccines

The Cattaraugus County Health Department held an on-campus H1N1 vaccination clinic Tuesday, Nov. 17 from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. in the San Damiano Room in Francis Hall.

The clinic, originally scheduled for Nov. 11, was postponed due to a shortage of vaccinations, according to a Nov. 10 Notice Board.

Cattaraugus County Health Department officials instead held the clinic this Tuesday, with 800 vaccinations available, according to Mary Anne Power, a Cattaraugus County Health Department supervising nurse.

Of the 800 available vaccinations, 600 of them were shots and 200 were nasal spray, Power said.

Power said the nasal spray is a recent development in vaccination technology.

"The mist is a relatively new way of administering the vaccine," she said. "People worried about it originally, but it is an excellent way of building antibodies because it is quickly absorbed."

The nasal spray vaccination is different from the shot vaccination, according to other health department nurses.

The nasal spray results in quicker immunity whereas the shot takes up to two weeks to build immunity, according to aa Cattaraugus County Health Department official. With the nasal spray, the vaccine is live but weakened, so the body has a more rapid response.

On the other hand, the shot vaccination contains the killed virus that is injected into the muscle, according to an informational hand out available to students who attended the clinic.

However, the nasal spray vaccination is not for everyone.

Children younger than 2, adults older than 50, pregnant women, anyone with a weakened immune system and anyone with long-term health problems were advised not to take the live virus nasal spray because of possible health risks, according to the handout.

Because of a shortage in vaccinations, the health department is focusing on distributing them to children, those younger than 25 and pregnant women first, a health department nurse said.

Freshman Josh Carniewski, one of the 415 people vaccinated on Tuesday, said he decided to get the shot because of guidance from home.

"My mom wants me to get it, and it's free here." he said.

Carniewski said he was pleased with the services because there was no wait, the process was simple and he got in and out quickly.

Graduate student Jason Als shared similar thoughts. He said he was pleased with the university's attempt to fight the flu.

"It's pretty amazing Bonaventure was able to get vaccinations, and it's nice to know they are looking out for us," he said.

Despite the availability of the vaccinations, there was a lack of student participation, according to a Cattaraugus County Health Department nurse.

"The turnout was less than we had hoped for," the nurse said.

Sophomore Eric Foit also received guidance from home to receive the vaccination but decided against getting it.

"My mom thinks I should get it, but I feel I am healthy enough to beat the swine." Foit said.