by Megan Smith
November 5, 2007

The Wellness Center offered flu vaccines to students for $15 last week.     

PLNU student nurses administered the vaccines under the supervision of registered nurses. The student nurses practiced multiple times on dummies before seeing patients.

“I was nervous!” said student nurse and sophomore Tyler Lent. “I had practiced so much, but the dummies weren’t overly realistic. Administering shots to actual patients made me more confident.”

A registered nurse administered the shot if the patient preferred, but most patients were comfortable with the abilities of the student nurses.

“The student nurse who gave me my shot was very professional,” said sophomore Lissy Gillespie, whose shot was administered by Lent. “She knew exactly what she was doing. She even gave me a Snoopy Band-Aid.”

The flu vaccine contains killed strains of the influenza virus that have been causing infection most recently. The vaccine has been prepared by the U.S. Public Health Service in collaboration with the Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The flu, or influenza, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus, which is transmitted from the infected person to the noses and throats of others. The illness spreads rapidly when individuals are in close contact, whether in classrooms, dorm rooms or bathrooms.

The flu commonly results in a fever, a cough, a sore throat, chills, muscle aches and fatigue. Individuals who contract the flu may be sick from several days to several weeks. Preventative measures must be taken because once influenza is contracted, there is little that can be done.

“Hand-washing is a must,” said Rita Koett, a certified family nurse practitioner and registered nurse who has a Master of Science in Nursing. “Don’t share drinks with friends, cough into the crook of your arm, avoid exposure with infected individuals and be sure to get a flu shot.”

Flu shots will be available at The Ocean Beach Recreation Center on Santa Monica Avenue on Nov. 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a $2 donation; CVS Pharmacy on Rosecrans on Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $27; and Vons on Midway by appointment for $30. Many local physicians are administering flu shots by appointment as well.