H1N1 vaccinations were available to all K-State faculty, students and staff at a clinic in Forum Hall on Tuesday.

This was the first time an H1N1 clinic was open to both K-State students and staff. Previous clinics were only open to one group or the other.

Monday's clinic was the fourth the health center has offered this year.

Theresa Doyle, health educator for Lafene Health Center, said coordinating these clinics is fairly simple; it is merely a matter of coordinating with the K-State Student Union.

"Obviously we want to be convenient for students, scheduling it at times that are conducive to their schedules," she said.

Doyle said the clinics are also determined by availability of the vaccination and the recommendations set forth by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

"They are the ones who set the eligibility requirements that we've been going off of, so we follow their recommendations as well as our availability for students," Doyle said.

The health center has four more clinics tentatively scheduled, Doyle added, and there is a possibility of more on the way next semester based on availability of the vaccine.

"At this point we have plenty of vaccines, but obviously it depends on how many students come in and get them," Doyle said. "We'll run the clinics as long as it takes to get rid of our vaccines."

Doyle said Lafene recommends all students get vaccinated for H1N1 as well as the seasonal flu shot, which will be available each of the next three Thursdays from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and from 1-4 p.m.

"It's for their own health and well-being," she said. "We want to keep them healthy this semester. One of the best ways to do that is to get that vaccine."

Many K-State community members have already gotten the vaccine for various reasons.
Latanya Skillern, an employee for the K-State Student Union, said she has been trying to get vaccinated for several weeks and finally had the opportunity on Monday. Skillern said she received the vaccination for the sake of her two children's health.

Jessica Heuback, senior in communications studies, got vaccinated to appease her mother.

"My mom keeps bugging me about it, so that was a primary reason," Heuback said, "but I also don't want to get sick around finals time."

Heuback said though she wasn't worried about getting sick, she would rather be on the safe side. She also received the seasonal flu shot earlier in the year.

Alise Dykstra, senior in international agribusiness, said she wouldn't have gotten vaccinated if her adviser for a class trip to South Africa over winter break hadn't asked her to do so.

If students cannot make it to the Lafene clinics, Doyle recommends they try to attend one of the those sponsored by the Riley County Health Department. The health department's next clinics will be held on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 at the National Guard Armory at 721 Levee Drive.

A list of the upcoming H1N1 clinics can be found at Lafene's Web site at k-state.edu/lafene/h1n1fluvaccine.htm. A list of the Riley County Health Department clinics can be found at rileycountyks.gov/index.aspx?NID=759