Students dressed in full Halloween garb lined the halls of Health Service yesterday to protect against something truly scary: the flu.
The free flu vaccine clinic held yesterday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. was this year's third and potentially final one.
The first was last Thursday and the second was this Tuesday, but was only for faculty and staff. Around 1,700 vaccines have been given out so far this year, according to Nurse Manager Kathleen Savage.
While supply problems have affected clinics in past years, this time around Health Service had enough shots.
"We were very fortunate that this year there was no shortage of the vaccine," Savage said. "While there are always certain people who for many reasons choose not to take [the vaccine], we should still have enough for anyone who wants one."
Although Health Service employees were pleased with the amount of students who received vaccinations, some students questioned the effectiveness of advertising for the event.
Announcements were made on Tuftslife.com and in the Daily, but some students felt that a mass e-mail would have been more effective.
"There probably wasn't enough publicity," said senior Ryan Coughlin, who received his shot yesterday. "I got one last year so I only found out about this year's by looking on the Health Service Web site."
But Health Service Clinical Manager Kathleen O'Dea said that her office's efforts were sufficient.
"We feel the advertising was appropriate," she said.
Although yesterday's clinic was the final one currently scheduled, leftover vaccines will be used for two more faculty and staff clinics, one on the Grafton campus and one on the Boston campus.
According to Savage, if any vaccines are leftover after these, there may be one more clinic for any student who still wants one.
Additionally, walk-in hours for the shots will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday of next week.
Unlike other types of flu vaccinations, which contain a live virus, the shots available at the clinic have very few negative side effects
"You do not get the flu from this vaccine," Savage said. "The most common reaction is minor tenderness where the shot has been administered."
Overall, students who received shots found the experience to be quick and painless.
"It was definitely worth it. It didn't hurt at all," senior Kyle Thompson-Westra said.
Senior Mike Cronin agreed.
"It was really convenient to have [the shots available] on campus," he said.
Still, there are a number of students who maintain that getting vaccinated is not worth the effort.
"[Shots] tend to be painful and not always helpful," freshman Kimberly Reisman said. "I've never gotten one and I've never gotten the flu."
Still, Savage recommends exercising caution.
"Missing a couple of weeks of classes is a lot more painful than getting a flu shot," she said. "We strongly encourage all students to get vaccinated."
