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Health center debates editorial

I was extremely disappointed when I read the October 3 Spectator editorial, “Cut-backs put students at risk.” The article is misleading, is a blatant misrepresentation of the facts, and serves only to undermine students’ confidence and trust in the Student Health Center.

Lynette Lewis, Valdosta Student Health Asst. Director/Administrator, and I had answered specific questions asked by the writer of the article in an email. Our answers were not referred to in the article and the article appears to have been based on preconceived notions and a conversation with a friend rather than factual information. The questions we were asked related to whether we did pregnancy tests before prescribing antibiotics and whether we offered the H1N1 flu vaccine. There were no questions regarding fees or cutbacks, which we would have answered if we had been asked. Our email response to the writer’s questions is quoted below:

“Good afternoon. Below are the responses to your questions. The responses were composed by Dr. Hiatt, MD, Director and myself.

Question #1. “First, I was told by another student that pregnancy tests are no longer given when a woman is prescribed antibiotics (I don’t know about other medicine) at the VSU Student Health Center.”

Response #1. The Student Health Center follows standard practices regarding pregnancy testing. Pregnancy testing is done if there is either delayed or missed menses or if there are other reasons to consider possibility of pregnancy, before any treatment is provided.

Question #2. Second, is it true that the Health Center now offers the H1N1 vaccine? If so, is this the first semester/year that it is being offered here? Is there any specific reason for now offer
ing the vaccination?

Response #2.  Each fall, the Student Health Center receives the standard flu vaccine for that flu season.  The CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm) has a wealth of information on the flu vaccine and it states the following:  “The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Traditional flu vaccines (called trivalent vaccines) are made to protect against three flu viruses; an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus. In addition, this season, there are flu vaccines made to protect against four flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines)….”

Dr. Edwin Hiatt
Student Health Center

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One comment

  1. I agree, these cuts don’t seem all that major.
    influenza A (H1N1) virus vaccine can be obtained in any other clinic, even pharmacies offer them.

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