'If you're so smart, why are you so sick?'

"If you're so smart, why are you so sick?” reads a poster in many campus restrooms. Ignoring the problematic insinuation that lower intelligence directly correlates to pathogen susceptibility, the question, "why are you so sick?" is important to consider. With so many students living in residence halls that effectively incubate contagious colds, student health evokes questions regarding the efficacy of the flu vaccine this year, the inability to take advantage of free vaccines offered by Student Health and inadequate self-care.

A common critique cited by many who eschew the lines to get vaccinated for free through programs offered by Student Health is that vaccines are ineffective. Some go as far as to say that the vaccines actually cause sickness. The numbers regarding the efficacy of this year’s flu vaccine seem to fuel these critiques: the vaccines were by some estimates only 23% effective, which is less than the past. Yet, the inefficacy of the vaccine this year is not necessarily because the vaccine is defective. The severity of this year’s flu season can be attributed to causes like vaccine mismatch. Regardless of this year’s mismatch, the importance of being vaccinated in future seasons should not be underestimated by those who interact with others on a college environment or in the wider world. In this college setting, students are in constant proximity, studying, playing, sleeping and eating together. Unless one lives in a single dorm, avoiding close quarters with someone else is likely not possible. Given concerns for the individual as well as the collective, yearly vaccination from the flu is an ideal and attainable goal.

In addition to the mismatch of this year’s flu vaccine, the usefulness of vaccines have recently been called into question by “anti-vaxxers.” Those who have casted doubt on vaccines have either taken skepticism too far in not trusting one of the most well supported biological innovations or have not used skepticism at all if they are basing their fear of vaccination on erroneous claims of a link to autism. Healthy doubt that pushes new scientific discoveries is welcome, especially for an innovation-seeking society such as Duke’s. But unhealthy doubt, doubt that is literally leading to the deaths of the immuno-vulnerable, is simply irresponsible. Moreover, the choice of risking an increased chance of measles, mumps or other diseases rather than autism also reveals a deep societal stigma against people with autism that should be addressed.

Those who choose not to vaccinate endanger both themselves and their communities. On the heels of the visit to Duke of Dr. Samuel Katz, one of the co-creators of the measles’ vaccine, California is unfortunately addressing measles’ outbreak. This outbreak is made possible by “anti-vaxxers.” As we mature into adults who will make health decisions for ourselves and possibly our children, let us show healthy skepticism.

Besides vaccines, what are other ways to maintain health? In a campus culture that is driven, ambitious and restless, it may be difficult to accept a moment in which it is physically detrimental to keep going. Give the time needed to heal. Moreover, self-care does not have to mean healing by oneself. If using a STINF—albeit sparingly—reach out for external help when in need. This external help might be Student Health, which contrary to popular belief, does have some Saturday hours for true emergencies. Finally, as more classes are lost to snow days, use STINFs responsibly.