If you do not have documented proof of infection,
immunity or immunization, Sindecuse Health Center can
provide these immunizations for you in a single injection
at minimal cost.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a serious, potentially life-threatening disease
caused by bacteria that enter the body through wounds.
Recommendations: A tetanus immunization is needed
every ten years. A tetanus booster may be needed sooner
than ten years for a serious or penetrating injury. If
you have not received a tetanus vaccination within the
last ten years, let us update you now.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that injures the liver
and may result in the development of chronic liver disease
and cancer of the liver. It is transmitted through infected
blood, semen and vaginal secretions and through infected
saliva. It is 100 times more infectious than HIV. The
highest incidence of Hepatitis B occurs in young adults
in their twenties.
Recommendations: The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention now recommends that all young adults receive
this immunization, especially if they are sexually active.
All newborns. All adolescents before the onset of sexual
activity. All young adults. All other adults at increased
risk of exposure to infected blood, semen or vaginal secretions,
especially those with infected sexual partners and IV
drug users. Immunization occurs through a series of three
injections given at specific intervals to produce immunity.
Sindecuse Health Center can administer any portion of
this series or the entire series for you if you have not
been immunized.
Immunization appointments are scheduled between 8:00
and 11:00 a.m. Monday through Friday (Thursdays from 9:00
- 11:00 a.m.).
Flu Vaccine
Each Fall Semester between October and December, Sindecuse
Health Center offers flu vaccine for your protection.
Each year's vaccine contains protection for the virus
types most likely to cause respiratory influenza during
the coming winter.
Anyone wishing to reduce the likelihood of contracting
influenza should receive flu vaccine. Those at increased
risk for flu-related complications are especially encouraged
to be immunized. These include persons with asthma or
other lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, any chronic
medical condition or HIV infection. In addition, anyone
over 65 years of age is encouraged to be vaccinated.
Vaccination can prevent severe complications from influenza,
including bacterial pneumonia, and helps prevent the spread
of influenza to high risk individuals. Vaccination must
be received in time to create immunity through the winter
months. Resistance to infection takes several weeks to
develop and lasts only a few months.
For more information about when flu vaccine will be available,
call 387-3290.
Allergy Injections
If you need allergy injections to maintain a desensitization
schedule prescribed by your allergist, the Sindecuse Health
Center staff can assist you by administering your antigen.
We will, however, need your help. We will need
clearly written instructions and an up-to-date injection
schedule (last injection recorded with strength and amount)
from your allergist, as well as the bottle of antigen
you are presently using.
If you are a first
time allergy patient who has never received an allergy
injection, we ask that you please return to your allergist
to begin your desensitization schedule. We will NOT administer
your first injection.
Allergy patients who are receiving their
injections at Sindecuse Health Center for the first time
are requested to call ahead for a 15 minute consultation
with Sheila Johnson, RN, C. At this appointment, a review
of your physician's orders, your medication history, and
the allergist's schedule will be completed. In addition,
Sheila will provide an overview of Sindecuse allergy injection
policy as well as an overview of campus and community
services available to you.
Allergy injections are provided Mon,
Tues, Weds, Fri from 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and from 1:00
- 4:30 p.m. Thursdays from 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and from
1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
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You may park in the circle drive while
obtaining a parking permit from the receptionist.
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After parking in a designated health
center area, obtain an encounter form from the receptionist.
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Bring the form to the nurse's station
and let the nurse know that you need yoru injection.
If you are ill when you come for an injection, please
tell the nurse.
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Your antigen will be stored in the refrigerators
provided for this purpose in our Allergy and Immunization
Room. You will be responsible for finding your own serum
from the refrigerator during each visit, as well as
returning your serum to your own drawer.
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The nurse will administer the injection
and you must plan to wait at
the Health Center for 20 minutes after your injection
to ensure that you do not have a reaction to your antigen.
Reactions are rare but if you do have a reaction, nurses
and doctors are immediately available to provide you
with effective emergency care. If a delayed reaction
occurs, please return to the Health Center. If the Health
Center is closed, go to the hospital emergency room
or Immediate Care Center.
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We will not be able to continue giving
you allergy injections if you are repeatedly overdue
according to your prescribed schedule, or do not honor
the necessary 20 minute waiting period. These student
responsibilities are essential for safe and effective
treatment.
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When your antigen level in your vial
is low, you will be responsible for ordering more antigen
from your allergist.
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The Sindecuse Health Center policy for
late allergy injections is as follows:
- 1 week - repeat dose
- 2 weeks - reduce dose by .10 c.c.
- 3 weeks - reduce dose by .20 c.c.
- 4 weeks - reduce dose by .30 c.c.
- 5 weeks - we will call your doctor for instructions
at your expense.
- If there are late protocol orders from your doctor,
we will follow their instructions.
- If your allergy schedule is late or unclear, and contacting
your allergist is necessary, you will be responsible for
any long-distance calls or faxed information.
- If you can not come for your injections at these times,
please make arrangements with the nurse for another day.
Cost: Single injections - $8.00; Multiple injections
- $10.00.
You may pay cash, charge your student account or credit
card while you are waiting your 20 minutes.
For more information, call 387-3290.
