Multiple lines formed for flu vaccinations in the library quad Wednesday as the student health center held its annual Natural High Health Fair for all Sacramento State students.

Flu vaccinations were administered to students at the start of the event at 10 a.m. The supply of the vaccines was limited to 110 students due a low supply, said nursing professor Nassrine Noureddine.

Within 30 minutes, 76 vaccinations have been administered and the supply ran out at around 11 a.m. Two hours short of the expected time frame.

It is also important to know that they do not protect against the H1N1 flu, Noureddine said.

The H1N1 flu shots are coming this semester and students should keep their eyes open for when that time will be, Noureddine said.

“This is a great service for students and I would not have time to get the shot anywhere else,” said senior chemistry major Bahar Shirooei.

Last year, the student health center gave more than 500 flu shots at the Natural High Health Fair, Noureddine said. Faculty and staff were not given flu shots due to the supply shortage.

Only students with their One Card received their free vaccine. The funds for the vaccine came from student registration fees, Noureddine said. An exception was made for a California Highway Patrol officer who was on campus promoting CHP’s programs.

“As a public and safety official they were able to give me a shot,” said CHP officer Michael Bradley.

Bradley said the event was a good way to get the students to receive their flu shot without it interrupting with their classes.

“I think this is cool because I don’t have time after school to do it, so this is very convenient for me,” said junior business major Krystal Samala. “I get sick every year, so I thought I might just get it.”

The shots administered at the event were inactive influenza vaccines, meaning they carried no side effect other the occasional sore arm, said Suzanne Sutherland, public health nurse and a registered nurse at UC Davis Medical Center.

According to the Federal Drug Administration, serious problems from the vaccine are very rare but do happen. The side effects are soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, hoarseness, sore, red or itchy eyes, cough, fever and aches.

If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days.

Noureddinne also suggests for anyone feeling flu like symptoms to stay home and rest.

Eating healthy, getting lots of sleep and vitamin C from fruits are the best remedies and precautions against the flu.

“Exhaustion is the number one cause of flu,” Noureddine said.

For more information about immunizations visit: http://immunize.org/vis

Blazej Bruzda can be reached at [email protected].