Web Editor’s Note: This story was written for the MCOMM 3309 – News Editing & Reporting Class

To help fight the flu season the WTAMU Nursing program hosted a health fair Sept. 29 through Oct. 6in the JBK and Activities Center on campus. Nursing students talked about health at booths, ran health tests and gave flu shots.

“The booths were free. We wanted to create something for students that was inexpensive and a way to get them involved.  The flu shots for students were fifteen dollars and twenty for faculty.  All proceeds benefited WT nursing,” Logan Lane, senior Nursing major and financial coordinator of the fair, said.

Booths at the fair included: blood pressure screenings, stress management stops and alcohol awareness. However, with all of the information available to students and faculty the main focus was making the flu shots available.“It is very beneficial to get the flu shot because a person can get very sick for up to about two weeks without any way to treat the virus.  The flu is very contagious and it spreads quickly in close quarters, such as college campuses,” Amanda Moss, senior Nursing major and team leader for the fair, said.

During the week the students were able to administer more than 150 shots, and 120 were given on the first day. Nursing students said the booths also got plenty of attention, especially the beer goggle test. There, students were able to wear special goggles that simulated what it’s like walking while drunk.

Although this fair was to help inform students about their health and the upcoming flu season, more faculty showed up than students.

“There is no proven reason why there were more faculty than student participants, but we theorized that the faculty is more aware of the benefits of the flu vaccine,” Moss said.  “Faculty and staff generally represent a population older than the average college student, and are more concerned about measures to prevent illness than younger people who feel (wrongly so) that they won’t get the flu because they are young and healthy.”

“I have gotten a flu shot virtually every year for the past 30 years,” President Dr. J. Patrick O’Brien said. “In those years I didn’t get the shot, I got the flu. Getting the flu shot is the prudent thing to do as it reduces the risk of getting the flu.”

Nursing students were able to participate and be involved in the fair if they are enrolled in one of Dr. Helen Reyes’ specific classes. While in this class they plan for the fair as well as practice giving shots.  All nursing students were able to help with the other booths.

“They [nursing students] get the satisfaction of helping community health to improve and to vaccinate the public.  It was also a great opportunity to get involved more with WT students and faculty,” Lane said.