With flu season just around the corner, the influenza vaccine can be seen as paramount to students wanting to stay healthy throughout the school year.
 Flu shots can now be received at the Thomason University Health Center. Located behind the Sims Memorial Library, the Health Center has begun taking appointments for students seeking to be vaccinated.
“Flu shots will protect us from certain viruses; not all the viruses, but the certain viruses that are most likely to be the most harmful ones.” said Kuldip Grest, a Registered Nurse and Health Center staff member. “That’s why students should get their flu shots, to protect themselves and to protect others.”
As described by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the influenza “flu” is a contagious disease which is caused by the influenza virus and can be propagated by coughing and sneezing. Once the virus develops, it can cause fever, muscle aches, a sore throat and headaches.
Even with all of the well-known knowledge of the virus, Grest claims not enough students receive the vaccination.
“We have had some leftover [flu shots] in the past.  We do advertise, we do put it online and in the past we have put signs out as well, and yet we find that not many people have taken advantage of it being right here on campus.”
When asked why she thought students were not eager to be vaccinated, Grest said “Number one, they are very busy. Number two, most of the time people take care of things when something is bothering them.”
Some of the lack of participation could also be traced to recent studies which argue whether or not the influenza vaccine is effective in its implementation to keep recipients from acquiring the flu.
The Lancet Medical Journal published a recent study, conducted by the University of Minnesota, which found that the vaccine was effective in only 59 percent of adults aged 18-65 years old. This would indicate that more than 40 percent of adults receiving the shot will not be successful from avoiding the virus.
However, Grest doubted the statistics had anything to do with the troubling turnout, saying “Often times these studies are not that well publicized so most of the time students will not have come across any of these studies.”
The Health Center, nevertheless, is urging students to be vaccinated and is trying to make the process much more patient friendly.
“We are trying to make it more student friendly so that it is easier when they come in.” said Grest. “If they make an online appointment, they don’t have to wait. They can also pay it online rather than having to go to the Controller’s Office.
Costing $20, students may use their Lion’s Lagniappe card or visit the University Controller’s Office for alternative payment methods. To make an appointment, contact the Health Center by calling 985-549-5718 or go online at www.selu.edu/admin/health_ctr.