As fall began, and the weather started to change, cold and flu season arrived.
Quinnipiac University Senior Medical Advisor Dr. David Hill assured students and faculty through email that COVID-19 cases on campus have remained low and manageable, with 94.2% of students vaccinated and 97% of full-time faculty and staff vaccinated.
While COVID-19 remains a community concern, other illnesses spreading across campus have become the current focus of Student Health Services.
Within the last two weeks, the facility has seen an increase in students seeking appointments for non-COVID-19 related, upper respiratory illnesses. Christy Chase, director of Student Health Services, has said that they have seen a 23% increase in visits for the beginning of the semester compared to last year.
The facility has been averaging about 120 visits some days, making it hard for many students to get an appointment.
We are constantly adjusting our workflow to try to accommodate the needs of our students while continuing to provide high quality care.
Christy Chase, director of Student Health Services
“We are constantly adjusting our workflow to try to accommodate the needs of our students while continuing to provide high quality care,” Chase said. “We are working hard to accommodate our students, but the high volume has caused us to not always be able to offer same-day appointments.”
With long waits for students and a higher workload for staff, separate health service systems have been put into place to accommodate more patients. Now, students who have cold symptoms and only want a rapid COVID-19 test and not a full evaluation by providers can schedule appointments and be seen faster than if they were to wait with those who are to be evaluated fully.
As the health center has seen an increase in sick students, students have been urged to get their flu shots to help prevent further sickness as flu season approaches.
As of Sept. 24, CVS started administering clinics on every campus. These clinics are continuing until Oct. 13.
Flu shots were administered earlier this week from Oct. 5 to Oct. 7 , with more upcoming clinics on Oct. 12 and Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, at the Rocky Top Student Center.
Students and faculty must have a valid university ID with them to receive their shot and an advanced registration is recommended. They are also prompted to bring their medical insurance information, as 96% of all insurance plans cover the cost of the flu vaccine, as stated in an email sent to students from Student Health Services.
Many students who received the vaccine were happy to be able to receive it on campus.
“It was nice and super convenient to be able to get it while I was on campus,” said Brynn Thomson, a senior nursing major. “Afterwards I felt perfectly fine. No soreness or sick feeling, I honestly am just happy to feel a bit more protected with these sicknesses going around campus.”
The flu clinic has been seeing a larger amount of people coming in to get their shots compared to last year. So far, according to Nancy Hunter, associate director of the Student Health Center, the North Haven Campus clinic averaged 250 students per day over the three-day period, and the first two days of the Mount Carmel Campus clinics averaged 450 vaccines given per day.
“The clinics have been steady throughout the day,” Hunter said. “The start of the clinics tends to be busier and when groups of people come as walk-ins. Though there is a large amount of students coming in per day, CVS has had plenty of vaccines available to accommodate the number of students, faculty and staff attending.”
The flu vaccine is an effective way to prevent contracting the flu, but as for basic colds and other flu preventions, Quinnipiac sent out an email reminder to students on preventative hygiene practices. The university recommends students wash their hands regularly, follow COVID-19 protocols, get enough sleep, maintain a well-balanced diet, stay home when feeling ill and wipe down surfaces frequently.
I got my flu shot because I obviously want to avoid getting it but also to do my part in making sure my friends and family are healthy.
Olivia DeCicco, senior health science major
“I got my flu shot because I obviously want to avoid getting it but also to do my part in making sure my friends and family are healthy,” said Olivia DeCicco, a senior health science major.
As students receive their flu vaccines, along with their COVID-19 vaccines, the Student Health Center is hoping to see a decrease in sick students. Prevention methods can be taken by students to help decrease the number of patients as winter time approaches.
Register for your flu shot online at the Rocky Top Student Center on Oct. 12 or Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.