Flu Shots

I think it is safe to say everyone on campus is sick.  In my 500-person lecture it is nearly impossible to hear the professor because everyone is coughing, sneezing and/or blowing their nose in a fifteen second cycle.  I know my roommate probably hates me because I am up until well past four in the morning coughing and preventing her from sleeping.  And while I feel bad for all of you who have colds like me, I feel even worse for those of you who have the flu.  Universities and dorm buildings are breeding grounds for spreading illness.  Virtually every time I get sick, my friends get sick within the next two days.  I am just waiting for the day someone on my floor gets the swine because it is certain that we will all follow suit shortly after.  

In an attempt to not be one of these dreaded carries of the swine, I have tried getting a flu vaccination.  Simple idea—horribly complicated procedure.  You would think that at a school with approximately 26,200 undergraduate students and about 15,400 graduates, UHS would be equipped with an adequate supply of flu vaccinations.  However, I was shocked to receive an e-mail explaining that UHS received 400 doses of the H1N1 flu vaccination and that would be available on November 11^th.  Yes, 400 doses.  That would cover about .96% of the student body. 

So, who got to be in this lucky .96%?  Well, actually, nobody did.  If you check the University Health Services website and rummage around for the flu vaccination page, you will see a little note informing us that, “The Nov 11 clinic has been cancelled because we didn't receive vaccine”.  Interesting.  Any information stating when they will be receiving the vaccine is not provided.  To top it all off, I get an angry phone call from my parents every other day asking when I am going to be vaccinated.  So what are we all supposed to do while flu season is in its prime and our friends are getting sick left and right?  If someone has a plan please, let me know . . .