By Lexus Yamashiro | Staff Writer

On Wednesday, KCC professor Rachel Lindsey stopped by ʻIlima 202B at 1:45 p.m. to receive her flu shot for Flu Clinic Day. Lindsey, who’s in her first semester of teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology I on campus, will typically get her flu vaccination annually as a safety measure of preventing herself and others from developing the virus.

“It’s really for the community at large. If I contract the flu, I could spread the flu to others,” said Lindsey, who is originally from Oxford, Pa. “While the flu in some cases may be a nuisance, in other cases it can be life-threatening.”

Lindsey was one of 50 people in KCC who got vaccinated by Times pharmacists between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Flu Clinic Day will continue on Thursday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in ʻIlima 202B. The Times pharmacists will allow walk-ins for those who were unable to schedule an appointment online.

Although Lindsey has received flu shots multiple times before, for KCC’s secretary Jamie Miyashiro, it was a first-time experience.

“The only reason why I am taking it is because I had the flu twice this year,” Miyashiro said. She contracted the virus in January and March, both times keeping her from coming to campus for about five days.

Like everyone else who received a flu shot that afternoon, Miyashiro was given a blue card with a sticker on it stating that the vaccination can protect those from the virus roughly until June 30, 2019. Joshua Belcher, who is interning as a Times pharmacist, explained that the vaccination can only protect those for about nine months because studies are done yearly to monitor when prevalent strains of the virus may occur again.

“It’s important to take preventative measures, so that’s why we’re all giving flu vaccines,” said the Wahiawā resident. “When people do get it, … it’s definitely a big deal because those people [the elderly and children] are more susceptible to complications from the flu.”

For those who would still like a flu vaccination on Thursday, it is being asked that people arrive prepared with a photo ID, insurance card, the vaccine consent form, and to wear clothing that will allow easy shoulder access. Those without medical insurance will have to pay $45 for the flu shot. Cash or check will be accepted by the Times pharmacists; checks must be made payable to Times Supermarket.

To learn more about the flu, visit the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health Disease Investigation Branch’s factsheet.