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Lyn Edington, nurse manager at the Pat Walker Health Center, demonstrates part of the immunization offered by the Health Center. The Washington County Health Department has been assisting the UA in giving students shots during the first week of school.

Free immunization offered during orientation

By: April R. Ford

Posted: 8/29/07

Hundreds of UA freshmen might have saved money and safeguarded their health this summer if they took advantage of free immunizations at orientation, said a Pat Walker Health Center official.

Because of a statewide abundance of three types of vaccinations, the Washington County Health Department was able to offer immunizations to the new students free of charge during summer orientations. The vaccinations would have expired before the health department could have used them, said Lyn Edington, Nurse Manager at the Pat Walker Health Center.

"They weren't giving as many vaccinations as they wanted to at the health department," Edington said. "So we supplied the space, and they [the health department] supplied the vaccinations."

More than 1,200 incoming freshmen received at least one of the three vaccinations offered - measles, mumps and other illnesses common on college campuses, Edington said.

Nurses from the Washington County Health Department attended new-student orientations throughout June and August, with a the surplus vaccinations.

One vaccine offered was Adacel for protection from diptheria, whooping cough and tetanus. Also a vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella and a new vaccine, Menactra, for meningitis protection.

Before Menactra, meningococcal vaccinations only protected a person for four to five years, Edington said, but the new vaccine offers immunization for a lifetime.

Students had a choice of all three vaccinations, and some opted out of getting immunized at all.

The availability of the vaccinations at no cost led to a dramatic increase in the number of vaccinations given during the orientations, Edington said.

In 2006, the health center vaccinated 246 students against meningitis. Over the course of the summer, the health center vaccinated more than 1,100 students with the Menactra vaccine, Edington said.

Nurses administered 565 of the Adacell vaccinations and more than 130 vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella.

Cost is sometimes an issue for students needing vaccinations, Edington said, so the free vaccinations "saved them a lot of money."

Both Adacel and the MMR vaccine cost almost $50 each, and Menactra is priced at $100.

New Arkansas students are not required to receive vaccinations against meningitis and other diseases. Edington said state law does require the health center to notify parents and students that the vaccinations are available.

Information about the free vaccinations offered by the Health Department was mailed to new students with their orientation packets. Students and parents were also told about the free vaccinations during orientation when they were given a tour of the health center.

The nurses who administered the vaccinations included mostly nurses with the Washington County Health Department, Edington said, but nurses at the health center helped during two August orientations. "The nurses had a ball and really enjoyed the students," Edington said. "It was a great collaboration between two departments."

The vaccine clinic gave students a chance to protect their health, but Edington said there was another benefit.

"We have 1,200 students who know where we are and how to find us," Edington said. "It was good public relations and good marketing, and I think the parents felt better."

The free vaccinations are no longer available to students, but Edington said the health center will offer Menactra and influenza vaccinations at the October Health Fair on the UA campus.

Immunizations against meningitis are offered at the health center at any time, Edington said. Students interested in being vaccinated or learning more about meningitis and other illnesses can visit the health center Web site or call Pat Walker Health Center to make an appointment.

The close proximity of residence halls puts college students at an increased risk of getting meningitis and other illnesses. Meningitis is a life-threatening bacterial infection that is most often spread through kissing, coughing, sneezing, or sharing cigarettes, drinks and food. Symptoms of the infection include fever, headache, irritability, vomiting and a rash.