Vaccinations prompt thoughtful discussion among Tech students

The month of November kicks off the official 2007 flu season as many students rush to Stamps Health Services to get their free flu shot vaccine.

According to the CDC website, the "single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each year." The flu shot vaccine is just one of many vaccines offered by the Health Center.

The flu is classified as worse than the common cold and the symptoms of fever, body aches and dry coughs can last from days to weeks. The single shot of the flu vaccine, which contains the killed virus, is injected into the arm and feels like a quick pinch.

The whole process takes no more than 5 minutes. The most common side effects are soreness at injection site, fever, weakness, muscle aches and allergic reactions. The Health Center warns that students should not receive the vaccine if they are allergic to eggs.

Immunization is particularly important for college students. The Health Center explains that the flu vaccine is recommended for college students, especially those who live in dorms.

They run a higher risk of contracting the flu because of close living quarters. Also, many college students experience a drastic change in eating and sleeping habits when school first starts which may lead to a weakened immune system.

While getting a flu shot may seem easy, free and wise some students opt out of getting immunized all together. For instance, Andrew Berenato, a fourth year Management major, has no intention of getting his flu shot at Tech or elsewhere.

"I don't remember the last time that I got a shot," Berenato said. He cites "laziness" and the fact that he does not get sick as his main reasons for opting out of Tech's free flu shot program.

In addition to the free service, Stamps Health Services has also made the process of scheduling an appointment easier and presumably more efficient.

"I'll get my shot if it's convenient," said Shaiz Dhanani, a third-year Management major who used the scheduling system. Students can log on to www.health.gatech.edu and schedule an appointment in just a few minutes.

Another major vaccine offered by Tech concerns only the female population of students. The vaccine, Gardasil®, protects against four HPV (human papillomavirus) types, which together cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.

The vaccine is given through a series of three shots over a six-month period. HPV is a type of STD, a common virus that is passed on through genital contact, most often during sexual intercourse. About 40 types of HPV can infect the genital areas of both men and women.

While most HPV strains cause no symptoms and go away on their own, some types can cause cervical cancer in women. Thus, while the vaccine pertains only to women, it is important that men understand their role in preventing the spread of HPV.

HPV is commonly hailed as "the college girl disease" and for good reason, as the 18-24 female demographic has experienced some of the largest growth in the epidemic. Yet HPV is not solely a " girl" issue, as men could potentially have the exact same statistics. But since it is so difficult to test men for HPV, the statistics are skewed.

"At least 50% of sexually active people will get HPV at some time in their lives. Every year in the United States (U.S.), about 6.2 million people get HPV," as stated on the CDC website.

Like many STDs, HPV can be contracted by anyone who has ever had genital contact with another person.

Unlike most STDs, however, the female is the one that is mostly affected as many strains of HPV attack the female reproductive organs. The strain of HPV that affects men is genital warts, but since they can be microscopic, the male could be completely unaware that he is infected.

For this reason, doctors stress the importance of regular STD testing for both partners. It is not known how much protection condoms provide against HPV, since areas that are not covered by a condom can be exposed to the virus. As always, abstinence is the only sure way to prevent HPV.

While a nationwide campaign for Gardasil called " One Less" is gaining momentum in national magazines targeted at young women, many Tech girls are still unaware of both the HPV virus and the Gardasil vaccine.

When asked if she would get the HPV vaccine, Johanna Pineiro, a fourth-year Aerospace Engineering major stated that she had "no idea what the HPV vaccine was." The lack of awareness on a national scale is one of the major obstacles facing Garadasil's success to bring safety and peace of mind to women.

Safety and peace of mind for millions of girls across the country comes at a surprisingly steep price.

While some clinics charge up to $600 for all 3 shots, Tech has made a huge effort to offer the vaccine at the lowest possible costs to students. The Tech Women's Clinic, located on the second floor of the Health Center, offers the vaccines at a subsidized cost. Even still, the $125.00 per shot price tag may sway some to reconsider.

However, when one factors in yearly pap smears, additional lab reports and the price of peace of mind, the price tag could seem justifiable or even insignificant. After Pineiro read some statistics, she decided that she would further research the vaccine and would definitely pay for the shots.

"It's an investment for my health...the price of the shots is worth it to feel safer," Pineiro said.

In addition to price, some students may be concerned about the relative safety of the vaccine. "This vaccine has been tested in over 11,000 females (ages 9-26 years) around the world. These studies have shown no serious side effects. The most common side effect is soreness at the injection site," cites the CDC on their website.

The recent FDA approval has also given more credibility to ease the safety concerns that are typical with a new vaccine.

Despite the lack of evidence to prove Gardasil unsafe, some women are still skeptical. Kristen Dumont, a fourth-year Management major, chose not to get the vaccine. "I think the long term side effects haven't been fully documented yet," Dumont said.

It is important to remember that while the vaccine is effective in preventing diseases caused by the four HPV types, the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV. Therefore, women who get the vaccine still need to continue getting regular pap tests and using protection.

Despite a few obstacles, many females are relieved the vaccine is available at all.

"This vaccine is huge progress...I feel like there's finally some hope, and I can be proactive in protecting myself," said Jessica Cartwright, a fourth-year Management major.