Congressman Martin Heinrich was on campus Monday to meet with UNM health officials, visit the flu vaccination clinic in the SUB and discuss UNM’s preparation for the H1N1 virus.
“I wanted to see the clinic here and see how they are handling the coordination between UNM-H, UNM and the entire campus community,” Heinrich said.
Heinrich said he was satisfied with UNM’s preventive measures, such as hand-sanitizer dispensers around campus and the flu-shot clinic.
“I am really impressed with the level of coordination and the fact that they didn’t wait until flu season was on top of all of us to begin getting ready for it,” he said. “This has been months in preparation, and I think that prevention and preparation are the key for this year’s flu season.”
Heinrich said the flu is being addressed on a larger scale in the Washington, D.C., community.
“On Capitol Hill right now, people like myself shake so many hands over the course of the day,” he said. “We actually have hand sanitizer all over Capitol Hill right now and in our office in Albuquerque, and I was pleased to see as I moved around the campus today that same sort of model.”
Student Mark Silversmith said he was pleased with UNM’s preventive measures, especially the convenience of the free flu-shot clinic.
“I was planning this weekend on going to the doctor and getting my flu shot, but I was walking by and it was right there, so I figured, ‘Hey, why not?’” he said.
Matt Swift, pharmacy director for the Student Health Center, said having the shot clinic in the SUB encouraged more students to get it.
“We are in a place where we are able to get in contact with a lot of people,” he said. “We have had people that didn’t even intend to get flu shots today walk through, see us and come in to get one.”
Heinrich said preventive measures for the flu in educational institutions are a priority.
“The more that is done now, the more functional this environment stays throughout the school year, so you don’t get to that point of canceling classes or canceling other activities,” he said. “The more you manage the issue at the front end, the less it spreads to the whole population, and you can maintain the educational environment throughout the year.”
Swift said he agreed, and the clinic was successful in combating the flu for UNM community members.
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“I think that it’s important for all of us to make it a top priority — immunize as many people as possible,” he said. “We have had a lot of faculty and students that have come through.”
Though the shot clinic is instrumental in flu prevention, Heinrich said everyday hygiene is crucial to contain the spread of illness.
“Folks should do the basic preparation of washing their hands properly, using the hand sanitizer that is around the campus (and) making sure to cover their mouths when they cough,” he said.
Silversmith said getting the shot only takes a few minutes, and the staff are all helpful and nice. He said more students should take advantage of the clinic’s service.
“It literally took two minutes,” he said. “I would recommend for other students to do so.”
The shot is available this week to the general public at no cost.
*Flu immunizations
SUB atrium
Through Oct. 22
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
*
