Hundreds of students from across campus rolled up their sleeves Thursday to get the seasonal flu vaccine on its first day of release at Penn State.
A line snaked through the HUB-Robeson Center to Paul Robeson Cultural Center's Heritage Hall, where University Health Services (UHS) teamed up with private company Maxim Health Services to provide Penn Staters with this year's vaccine.
By lunchtime Thursday, more than 550 students had received the vaccine, UHS Nursing Manager Nancy Lambert said.
Some students waiting in line expressed anxiety about getting the shot, especially after seeing some students faint.
"I'm having second thoughts," said Lauryn Drenning (senior-communication sciences and disorders) as she waited her turn.
But others, like flu shot veteran Benjamin Green (senior-meteorology), said they were not worried. He said he's more afraid of getting behind in school.
"This is my fourth year getting it," Green said. "I can't afford to miss class because I'm sick."
Appointments weren't accepted in advance to get the vaccine, so students lined up between classes and during lunch breaks to get their shot.
For those who arrived early, the wait was only about 30 minutes, but the line grew as the morning progressed.
After receiving the vaccine, students left the hall with a fresh bandage as well as a receipt for $26, a charge billed to their bursar accounts.
Those who waited their turn to visit the flu shot stations set up in Heritage Hall discussed what else they were doing to fight the flu this fall. Lambert said UHS hopes student concerns over the H1N1 virus prompt a greater portion of them to seek out the seasonal flu vaccine.
Ashley Huth (sophomore-nursing) and her friends joked about using hand sanitizer on everything they owned. Huth admitted to even sanitizing her cell phone.
For those who came out -- because of flu paranoia or maybe just because their parents told them to -- one thing is certain: Students are trying to stay well this fall.
"I didn't get one sophomore year and got the flu real bad," Andy Mayhew (senior-labor and employee relations) said. "I'm just hoping I don't get it this year."
