St. Clair College downtown receives second batch of flu shots

by Dale Cabuquin

St. Clair College’s downtown campus received a second batch of flu shots after being out of the vaccines for more than a week.  

According to Brianna Smith, the downtown campus Nurse, 30 vaccines for the second batch were received on Nov. 9 from the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU). 

“Because it’s in high demand, the health unit and facilities like this can’t keep up with everybody asking for it,” Smith said. “We give as many as we can, and then we run out, so we order more.” 

According to Smith, it only took one week before the first batch of influenza vaccines ran out. The first batch contained 40 vaccines. During that time, 39 students and one staff member received the shot according to Smith.  

“The flu shots are important to avoid the flu,” Smith said. “It can be a deadly sickness and it’s overall just not a good time. You don’t want to have time away from classes because the flu really takes you out.” 

The free health service is well-received by some students. 

St. Clair College student Emily Bryant has received her flu shot from another place but said she was glad to hear the college offers this service. 

“Some people don’t have health care and the flu shots protect them from being ill,” Emily Bryant said. “It’s good for the college to do this. It’s awful because if you miss the exam then you have to retake it.”  

Smith said staff members and students can take the flu shots while supplies last.  

WECHU’s website has encouraged people to take the vaccine as soon as it becomes available to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses this fall.