The seasonal flu vaccine is generally a good idea for those who don't enjoy fevers, runny noses, sore throats or extreme nausea. This year Brunonians should think of it as an obligation, to themselves and their peers.
While the seasonal flu vaccine does not prevent swine flu, it does make swine flu's presence more apparent since the two viruses have a few common symptoms. Students who develop flu-like symptoms after getting vaccinated will know that they probably have swine flu and can take appropriate precautions. The University will also have a much easier time tracking and containing H1N1 if most students get a flu shot. For that reason, Health Services should e-mail students who have not yet received the seasonal flu shot and urge them to do so before the end of the month.
The University began offering flu shots to students on Monday, and over 1,000 students have been vaccinated so far. Seasonal flu vaccines will be available until the end of October from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jo's. After that, students who want the vaccine will have to make an appointment.
The flu shot, like many preventative measures, will only be effective if students take advantage of it, which should serve as a reminder that students and administrators are jointly responsible for preventing the spread of H1N1. Both groups deserve credit for the measures they have already taken.
The University has equipped libraries and other buildings with copious amounts of hand sanitizer, administrators have repeatedly encouraged sick students to avoid public places and over 300 students have reported an influenza-like illness to Health Services online.
But the University and its students should take additional steps.
Although most sick students are inclined to miss class, this may change over the next few weeks as midterms draw near. Review sessions are often critical to a student's performance on exams. As a result, sick students who miss these classes will be penalized for their conscientiousness. Students who are equally sick but less principled have an incentive to attend review sessions, risking further infection.
The University could prevent the spread of H1N1 more effectively by making midterm review sessions accessible to absentee students in large lecture courses. If technology permits, midterm reviews should be recorded and uploaded for students whose exams are postponed due to illness. Otherwise, professors in large courses should be asked to hold additional review sessions for students who were sick the first time around.
Students also need to take responsibility. Seasonal flu vaccines are a good first step. In addition, students should practice good hygiene and help out ailing roommates by delivering food and taking care of library printing. Those with a fever and a sore throat or cough should warn others, report their flu-like symptoms to Health Services through www.brown.edu/fluweb and stay in their rooms until they recover.
None of these measures is failsafe, but taken together they can help slow the spread of the H1N1 by reading period when finals are administered and students can least afford to get sick.
Editorials are written by The Herald's editorial page board. Send comments to editorials (at) browndailyherald.com.
