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SJFC expands efforts to prevent severe allergic reactions on campus

Caitlin Whyte
/
WXXI News

A local organization is aiming to get more epinephrine onto college campuses in an effort to treat anaphylactic symptoms.

All 19 security officers at St. John Fisher College are now trained in Auvi-Qs, a new epinephrine auto-injector that treats these reactions.

John Terry, Founder of the Allergy Advocacy Association who partnered with the college, said it’s something that more campuses should be working towards.

"It’s a significant issue because of the number of undiagnosed people who are at risk for anaphylaxis and don’t even know it."

The auto injectors usually run at around $4,000 per set of two, but the school received a grant from the association to help offset costs.

The college is now stocked with 12 epinephrine auto injectors, stored in high traffic areas where AED’s are also kept, to help individuals who appear to be experiencing symptoms.

Security Officer Alphonse Camp says they’ve always had this antidote available in their wellness center, but the expansion just helps reach more people, especially when that center is closed.

"A student or guest can eat a meal at any time right? That’s kind of the issue. We want to make sure we're ready."

As of now, only trained officers can use the auto injectors.

St. John Fisher College is among the first colleges in western New York to use the Emergency Allergy Treatment Act to bring auto-injectors to campus.

This bill authorizes, but does not mandate, public venues such as restaurants, sports arenas and day cares to stock epinephrine auto-injectors.