Student Health Services has seen a steady stream. (Scott Allison / The Miami Student)
The only thing taking longer to arrive at Miami University than a victory for the football team is the swine flu vaccine.
With students becoming increasingly more concerned about contracting the virus, Student Health Services is hoping to obtain vaccinations from Butler County within the next week.
"We do not yet have the H1N1 vaccine," said Gail Walenga, assistant vice president for student health and wellness. "We have the seasonal flu vaccine, however, most of our supply has been used."
Walenga said this vaccine shortage is not a rare occurrence. The student health center receives a limited quantity supply of the seasonal flu vaccine annually, in January or February, and usually requires more during mid-November. Walenga expects the student health center to have seasonal flu shots available again soon.
The H1N1 vaccine has been requested from the county and is expected to arrive at Miami within the month, Walenga said.
"We are hoping to have it by next week," Walenga added. "The county has it now and has most likely been supplying it to young children. We are just waiting for it to get shipped here."
To adequately serve the high demand for the vaccinations, Walenga said the student health center expects to receive 15,000 doses in the initial shipment from the county.
"As soon as we get the vaccine we will have huge target clinics in Goggin and Millett where students can stop by, get their vaccination and get on their way," Walenga said.
According to Walenga, it is crucial for students to get the vaccine since college-aged students are more susceptible to the virus than most other age groups.
"College students are young enough to not have the immunity that older people do," Walenga said.
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Miami junior Nick DeLucio said he feels relieved the vaccination will be accessible through the student health center and intends to receive it primarily because of the influence of his mother.
"My mom always sends me e-mails to get it, so if I have time to then I probably will," DeLucio said.
As for the student health center's plan to hold large clinics intended on expediting the vaccination process, DeLucio said he believes the more easily accessible the vaccines are to students, the more inclined they will be to receive it.
According to Walenga, students will be notified through Blackboard as soon as the vaccinations are available.
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