Inoculating Columbia

Following President Obama’s recent declaration of the H1N1 virus epidemic as a national emergency, it is important to take another look at how the University has prepared to mitigate a possible outbreak of the virus on the Morningside campus. Primary Care Medical Services at Columbia is actively working to promote preventative behavior in students, faculty, and staff, and it has articulated a plan for an orderly distribution of a vaccine when it arrives. Many in the Columbia community are concerned or even apprehensive about the availability of the H1N1 vaccine, specifically in Morningside Heights: While many are eager to be vaccinated, others fear possible side effects of getting the shot. We encourage Health Services to do more to educate everyone on the status and benefits of H1N1 vaccination and in particular to address the concerns of those worried about its potentially adverse side effects.

Columbia has already placed its request for the vaccine with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Morningside Primary Care Medical Services will serve all Columbia schools in Morningside Heights, as well as Teacher’s College, Jewish Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary. Barnard Primary Care Health Service will distribute the vaccine to Barnard students. In New York as a whole, distribution of the H1N1 vaccine is determined by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and recipient organizations such as Columbia can expect to receive requested amounts in increments due to the high demand and strained supply. To ration the vaccine, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has created a list of high-risk groups who are encouraged to seek vaccination as soon as possible. This priority group includes people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, those 24 to 64 with chronic health problems, pregnant women, EMS workers, and those who care for children under 6 months. The CDC has instructed vaccine providers to service these groups first, as they are the most vulnerable to infection and serious complications. Still, it is important that all at Columbia, high risk or not, are proactive in receiving the shot and are aware of where and when it will be available.

Fears about taking the H1N1 vaccine abound. Many who may refrain from getting vaccinated fear the use of mercury in it, and others believe that the vaccine has been rushed to market and therefore has not been adequately scrutinized. Still others do not believe they are at risk or feel that they could recover just fine if they did contract the virus. While Health Services has an excellent Web site with information regarding their plans as well as answers to general questions, it would be helpful if it also addressed some Columbians fears about the vaccine. Currently, Health Services promises in a rather inconspicuous part of its Web site, “As soon as we have information outlining the national distribution guidelines for the H1N1 vaccine, we will immediately share that information with the Columbia community.” While this is encouraging, we hope that Health Services moves promptly to address this crucial issue, which has been gaining greater national attention in recent days.

Taking proper precautions is important during the flu season. The University must do the most it can to supply information and vaccination, and it is up to students, faculty, and staff to be engaged, become informed, and ultimately get vaccinated.

Tags: Opinion, Editorial Board, Staff Editorial