Geneseo, N.Y.—Flu vaccines had been available, but so many students at the State University of New York at Geneseo neglected to get them, until now.
“The worst thing is being around kids that are sick,” said Zach Martin, a sophomore hockey player who has been on campus during part of winter break.
Most SUNY Geneseo students return at the end of the week.
“I’m concerned about what they are bringing back with them,” said Dr. Steven Radi, Medical Director at SUNY Geneseo.
Aside from the general hand washing precautions and requests that students cover their mouths with every cough, health services staff at Geneseo are urging unvaccinated students to get their flu shots soon.
“People who get influenza are very, very contagious 24 hours before their symptoms start and they are very contagious until their fever is gone,” said Radi.
Meanwhile, at Nazareth College, students are already back on campus for the spring semester.
Registered nurse Chris Kelly said there haven’t been any documented cases of the flu on campus either before or after break, so far.
In the past two days alone, 25 doses have been administered by nurses at Nazareth College. There are only about 50 doses available, and health services staff are hoping to get more doses of the vaccine.
Across Monroe County, there have been eight flu related deaths and more than 1,300 cases, according to the Monroe County Health Department.
