Flu season is just around the corner and Moorpark College will be hosting two flu clinics to help combat the illness that always sweeps through campus every winter. The first will be held on Thursday, Sept. 25 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Moorpark College Student Health Center, CRC-108, which is located in the Administration Building.
For those living near the satellite Santa Paula Campus, there will be a second clinic on Wednesday, Oct. 1 from 9 to 11 a.m.
Both clinics have a first come, first served policy.
College students have stressful lives and are prone to skimp on sleep which only elevates their risk of catching the virus. Recovery times are also delayed because of the poor health habits many students maintain.
“I always try to get my shots as soon as I can,” said Meagan Mills, 18, a communications major. “If I don’t, I always get unlucky with a terrible strain of the virus that keeps me in bed for days.”
In years past, Moorpark has had supply and demand issues but Jan Wiley, the Lead Student Health Center Assistant, has assured students that there will be plenty of flu vaccines available for those seeking them.
The staff is made up of registered nurses and doctors that each have different areas of expertise. The center can examine, assess and treat short term or acute illness in a high-quality environment for students. Access to low cost medications is available for all registered students. Services include immunizations for diseases such as Hepatitis B, Tetanus, MMR, and the flu.
According to Sue Gerhardt, an Administrative Assistant in the Moorpark College Student Health Center, for those not able to make any of the clinic days, appointments will be available starting October 13, 2008.
“It’s so convenient having the chance to get my shots at school,” said Caitlin Wells, 20, an English major. “Gas prices are hurting my wallet, but now I get to kill two birds with one stone.”
The cost of the flu vaccination is $20.00 and the school will accept cash or check. The Moorpark College Student Health Center can be reached at (805) 378-1413.
For more information about the influenza (flu) virus visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
