Flu season approaches SUNY Oswego as vaccine rates drop among young adults

OSWEGO, N.Y. – Cold and flu season is readily approaching as the weather gets colder, and the flu vaccine might be more important than you think. 

During flu season, SUNY Oswego Junior Joe Seidman doesn’t view the flu shot as an option, as a majority of people do. Instead, he needs the shot to keep him safe year-round.

“I’ve always found it effective,” Joe said. “As someone with an autoimmune disease, I think it’s best to take all the immunizations you have to prevent sickness.” 

In Oswego County, only 2% of 19-25 year olds are vaccinated against influenza, according to the New York State Department of Health.  SUNY Oswego Director of Health Services Angie Brown said that fewer students are getting the flu shot for a reason. She attributes this low vaccine rate to pandemic fatigue following the COVID-19 pandemic and differing beliefs about vaccines. According to Brown, people just don’t want the shot as much as they used to.

Just last year, SUNY Oswego’s Dr. Mary Walker Health Center ordered roughly 1,000 flu vaccines for students, free of charge. This year, they ordered 50-100 flu shots for students. 

Despite suspicions about the vaccine, Brown said the shot has a 30 to 50 percent prevention rate. 

“The good thing about the vaccine is that if you have it, you usually become less ill, and you shed less virus,” said Brown. “You would have a lower viral load. That way, people at home would have less chance of getting sick.”

To Brown, a smaller viral load could be a key factor in protecting not only yourself, but also immunocompromised people around you. 

“Protecting you means you’re protecting them,” said Brown.

Even though the Health Center has fewer vaccines, both Kinney Drugs and Wayne Drugs in Oswego offer flu shots.