A flu outbreak in the 5Cs last month led to 37 reported cases among students, with the virus’ spread provoking concern among some Claremont community experts over vaccine access and recent changes in federal health policies.
“The initial case was reported on Jan. 29, with the outbreak peaking in early February,” The Claremont Colleges Services (TCCS) said in a press release to TSL. “The highest number of positive tests occurred the week of Feb. 3-7.”
Since Aug. 1, Student Health Services (SHS) has conducted 252 flu tests for students, with 48 yielding positive results for influenza A and one for influenza B, compared to last year’s 265 student tests yielding 50 positive results.
While TCCS confirmed that the flu was milder this year, the 5C Ski & Snowboard Team was hit with several cases last month following their first competition of the season. It was raining for a majority of the competition — a “miserable” weather experience, according to competitor Zach Roerden CM ’27 — with the final day of competing ultimately being canceled due to the weather.
After arriving back on campus, Roerden began experiencing flu symptoms.
“I was actually the first person to text in the group chat [about the flu],” Roerden said. “I said, ‘does anyone else feel like crap right now?’ and immediately three people texted back.”
Roerden said that around eight members of the team later confirmed testing positive for the flu.
“This was probably the worst illness I’ve gotten in the last five years,” Roerden said. “I have a pretty strong immune system, I grew up on a farm … this is the first time I was sick in a while, and it was really bad.” He recalled symptoms like severe exhaustion, muscle aches, headaches, nasal drip, stomach aches and nausea.
After visiting SHS, Roerden said a nurse informed him that the main medicine they provide to combat influenza A, Tamiflu, was out of stock because of the high volume of cases in the previous week. When the nurse tried to call in the prescription at the nearby Hendricks Pharmacy, they told her that they were also out.
Lily Waldman SC ’26, a 5C Ski & Snowboard Team captain, affirmed that the team did not contract the flu during the competition but rather brought it with them on the trip.
“People on our team got [the flu] at school,” Waldman said. “The unfortunate thing is that the 5Cs as a whole are not really keeping up on their vaccination requirements.”
Three competitors ended up missing the team’s second competition of the season due to the flu but were able to get waivers and still compete at regionals.
“In the past, it really hasn’t been much of a problem at all,” Waldman said. “Of course, the flu is a little bit more serious, especially this year with antivax sentiments floating around the nation.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who President Donald Trump recently appointed as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, previously denied the efficacy of vaccines. Dean of Research at Keck Graduate Institute and vaccine researcher Larry Grill spoke on the health consequences that have already resulted from the change in administration, pointing towards the spread of illnesses besides the flu.
“We have a vaccine denier as the head of our health services in the United States,” Grill said. “So now we’re getting what shouldn’t happen: a pretty big measles outbreak, including deaths.”
Pomona biology professor Sharon Stranford commented on how an FDA meeting aimed at preparing next season’s vaccines and a CDC meeting on immunization protocols were both recently canceled.
She outlined the flu vaccine production timeline, which includes analyzing circulating strains, predicting which are going to dominate in the next season and manufacturing the vaccines.
“They have a very strict six-month clock: if you don’t start now, you’re not going to be ready [by September],” she said. “I just really hope next year that we’re not hit particularly hard given the delays in vaccine preparation.”
Roerden said that despite getting the vaccine, which has an estimated 42 percent efficacy, he still contracted the flu.
“I just hope it never happens again,” Roerden said. “I would never wish it upon my worst enemy.”
Stranford also mentioned an uptick in sickness-related absences and prevention protocols among students and faculty at the 7Cs.
“I’ve been hearing a lot more about absences,” Stranford said. “Even among faculty — we had a big symposium, and there were quite a few people who couldn’t be there because they had contracted something. There were many people who were putting masks on.”
Grill concluded with a statement to students, faculty and staff at the 7Cs regarding the flu.
“Easiest way to stop the flu is to get vaccinated,” Grill said. “If you get the flu, at least wear a mask if you’re going to go around other people, because that at least will stop most of the droplets — if you wear it properly, of course.”
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