In the past, a shot at getting a free influenza vaccine was a major drawing point for students attending the yearly College of Pharmacy’s Dawgtoberfest celebration – but it won’t be this year because of a vaccine shortage.

“Last year we had free flu shots, but due to the shortage we weren’t able to get any,” Walter Williams, a third-year pharmacy student from McDonough, said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

Williams, president of the Academy of Student Pharmacists, has been involved in planning and carrying out this year’s Dawgtoberfest since August. He said the organization and College’s administration goes through several drug companies when trying to secure the vaccines for the event.

“From what I can gather, I believe the shortage is due to an increase in demand for the seasonal flu shot proceeding [from] the heightened awareness of H1N1,” he said. “Also, drug companies are now producing two vaccines [for H1N1] which has probably slowed the production of the seasonal flu shot.”

Though there is a shortage across the state – Alice Loper, director of health services at Georgia College and State University, said in a telephone interview Thursday that GCSU has run out of vaccines twice and is having trouble getting more – the University Health Center’s supply has not been depleted.

“We still have it at the Health Center, and they’re going fast,” Liz Rachun, public relations coordinator for the University Health Center, said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

Rachun said 3,000 doses were ordered this year, about the same as in the past, but no more vaccines will be coming in.

“As soon as it’s gone, it’s gone. We can’t reorder any more,” she said, adding she would advise students to take advantage of the supply.

Rachun said the vaccines, given by appointment, cost $15 for students and $25 for faculty and staff. In the wake of the seasonal vaccine shortage, H1N1 vaccines are on the way, though a delivery date is still uncertain.

“We know it’s coming; we’re expected to get our full 9,000 doses,” Rachun said.

She said the first vaccines to arrive will probably be live virus nasal sprays, which can only be given to students with no pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma.

She said the nasal spray is safe, but because of the live virus component, it could exacerbate symptoms in students with other conditions.

The dead virus H1N1 injection is also on its way to the University, Rachun said. This type of vaccine is best for students who have underlying health risks. The only catch is not knowing how many of the 9,000 doses will be injections, Rachun said.

She said she hopes there will be a good combination of nasal and injectable doses arriving, and once they arrive, priority distribution can be determined.

“This [H1N1] vaccine is made the same way the seasonal flu is made, and might be better,” Rachun said.

She said the amount of variation in seasonal flu strains made vaccine manufacture a “guessing game,” but scientists knew the strain of H1N1 and were able to create a vaccine specifically for it.

She said the H1N1 vaccines will be easily accessible, available on a walk-in basis and are free – both to students and to the Health Center.

She said once it arrives, the University community can get the free vaccinations in a variety of places on campus, including the Health Center and vaccination clinics at the Tate Student Center.

Williams said despite the lack of free vaccinations, Dawgtoberfest will still be highlighting influenza prevention and awareness, as well as a variety of other health topics.

“The next best thing we thought of was flu prevention kits,” he said.

The first 300 attendees will receive the kits, which include gloves, a mask, hand sanitizer and a disposable temperature strip to check for fever.

In addition, several booths at the Walgreens-sponsored event will highlight H1N1 and how to keep students safe and flu-free.

More than 20 additional health-related issues will be represented, including diet, breast cancer, sex, smoking, depression and anxiety, women’s health, HIV/AIDS and even obesity. Students can also get free health screenings, T-shirts and food.

“It’s super fun,” Rachun said. “It’s a great way for pharmacy students to practice.”

Williams said he hopes students will attend the event, despite the predicted wet weather, both for their own personal wellness and to realize what their pharmacists can do for them.

He said being a pharmacist is a lot more involved than most people realize.

“The profession as a whole is evolving into something more than just counting pills,” he said.