With flu season just beginning, the student health center has given out the highest number of flu shots to date.

The number of flu shots given last year totaled at 255. This year 150 shots have been administered since mid-October, which is 25 more than had been administered by this time last year, said Kristin Phelps, director of health services.

OVERALL DROP IN COLLEGE STUDENT FLU SHOTS

In recent years, only eight percent of college students in the United States have received the flu shot, according to a Huffington Post article. On Biola’s campus, a little over two percent of the student population has received shots from the health center, according to the university enrollment report. One reason for the low numbers across college campuses is that several students view the vaccine as unnecessary as they have not contracted the flu any time recently.

“I’ve never gone, so now at this point…I’m still okay,” said Carla Veliz, junior intercultural studies major.

In addition, several students, including Taylor Swire, junior elementary education major and freshman Victoria Dunbar, have an aversion to needles and therefore avoid the vaccine.

Some students cannot receive the flu vaccine on campus due to allergy reasons.

“The shots they give here on campus do have eggs in it so I have to go to a doctor that gives a different type,” said Kelsey Seydell, junior elementary education major.

However, for the students that do receive the flu shot, many of them get it from their off-campus doctors often because of the ease and no additional cost.

“I think the health center charges you, and if I do it through my doctor, it’s free,” said Anna-Sophia Wilson, senior business major.

HEALTH CENTER OFFERS AN AFFORDABLE VACCINE

The student health center charges $15 for the flu shot and have maintained this price for over 10 years, said Phelps.

“We don’t make money on it. We just cover the cost so we keep it down and affordable to students,” said Phelps.

While other college campuses take alternative measures against the flu such as a nasal spray containing the live virus, the flu shot containing the inactivated virus remains the most beneficial in preventing the virus, said Phelps.

“For the population of our students, the inactivated is recommended more than the live virus,” said Phelps.

A recent study has shown that students who have received the vaccine are 30 percent less likely to contract an influenza illness, according to an article on abcnews.com.

In addition to receiving the vaccine, one can take several preventative measures, such as getting enough sleep and thoroughly washing your hands. In addition, if you contract the flu, the best way to stop the spreading involves isolating yourself and refraining from attending class, said Phelps.