With the recent spread of swine Flu hitting the work TAMIU is ready to vaccinate its students and prepare for anything.
After seeing the news and witnessing the toll that a major epidemic can cause on the world, the public is ready to become ammine.
Associate Director, Elizabeth Dodeir talks about the requirements and preperations the university is taking in order to deal with the new H1N1 vaccine.
“It is a complicated process to receive such a vaccine. We had to register with the Texas Department of Texas Health and then order 3,000 vaccines for the university which we are still waiting approval on. The university also had to proof that it was a medical provider and was going to provide the vaccine for free,” Dodeir said.
With an order of 3,000 vaccines underway to the university students will be able to take the vaccine free of charge. According to Dodier the student health service really wants to target the risk group of students 16-24.
“According to medical research students that are 16-24 are the most at risk in catching the H1N1 virus then others; not to say that others should not consider taking the virus,” Dodeir.
The Texas Health Department is taking this a step further by having each vaccination registered to make sure that all are being used.
“Once we have administered the vaccination to students we have to submit them to IMMTRAC Program which will allow the state to track the number of vaccinations used throughout the state. This will allow the government to take statistic of individuals taking the vaccine,” Dodier says.
In handling the vaccination stage the Student Health Services is ready to combat the demands.
“We are hoping to confirm with the Nursing School at TAMIU to have student nurses help out with the vaccination demand. We would also have special clients throughout the campus that would provide the H1N1 Flu shot available. As of now these are the ideas in place,” Dodier says.
The vaccination will help people develop an anti-biotic in order to fight the H1N1 virus. If anyone has further information on any student health care feel free to contact the Student Health Services at 956-326-2230 or visit at the Student Center Room 124.