DU’s Health and Counseling Center has announced four more free clinics for H1N1 vaccinations.
“These shots are for everyone and they are free for anyone that wants a vaccine,” said Dr. Sam Alexander of the HCC. “And we intend to give them to anyone who wants one.”
More than 50 people were vaccinated during an H1N1 clinic last week.
The remaining clinics are scheduled for Feb. 11, 18 and 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Driscoll Bridge.
“We haven’t seen too many H1N1 flu cases since last fall, but the seasonal flu is coming up and we could see both types in the upcoming weeks,” Alexander said. “It is really unpredictable at this point.”
According to Alexander, the HCC has used less than 200 vaccines in the three free clinics held during January.
“It is what we expected to use, because the number of vaccines being used is falling with each clinic that we do as well as what we have seen around the nation and at other college campuses,” said Alexander.
Despite the decline in vaccines used, the HCC still wants to make the vaccinations available and free for anyone that wants one.
“People do not have the urgency that they did in the fall,” Alexander said. “They are no longer prioritizing it as a big issue as it was in September and October, but it could always become a problem again.”
The HCC ordered 12,000 vaccines last fall.
With the first shipment of 150 vaccines in November, the HCC has been able to vaccinate about 1,000 people.
Those who have been vaccinated are DU students, staff, faculty, family, friends and community members.
The first vaccines were given to those classified as a priority group, which included pregnant women, people in regular contact with children under six years of age, and children from the ages of five to 18.
The second priority includes anyone from the ages of six months to 24 years of age.
Alexander noted that there are plenty of vaccines left and if they run out the HCC can easily order more.
“All we have to do is ask the state for more vaccines if the demand for them spikes up,” Alexander said.
For information about the free clinics contact 303-871-2705 or go to info@hcc.du.edu.
