Drive-up flu shot clinic offers convenient vaccination by College of Pharmacy

Janel Shoun-Smith | 

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In an effort to provide a convenient and easy flu shot option for the community, the Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy will host a Drive-Up Flu Shot Clinic on Saturday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on University Park Drive outside of the Burton Health Sciences Center (facing Belmont Boulevard).

Patients will park their cars in visitors’ spots along University Park Drive, and members of the American Pharmacy Association’s Academy of Student Pharmacists will come out to the car to serve a healthy dose of flu vaccine Sonic-style!

Flu vaccines are available Saturday for anyone 5 years or older. Shots cost $20, and cash or check only is accepted. Patients will have to remain on site for 15 minutes after the shot is administered.

Federal officials recently announced that only 42 percent of Americans received flu shots last year. While flu season was relatively mild last year, that doesn’t mean it won’t bounce back this year with greater occurrence, said Sarah Uroza, assistant professor of pharmacy practice and sponsor of the student pharmacist academy at Lipscomb.

All of the Lipscomb student pharmacists are certified to give vaccines and many already work in retail pharmacies and have administered flu vaccines at on-campus clinics for the past three years.

But this year, the students wanted to reach out to the Green Hills community, said Uroza.

“The student pharmacists are focused on trying to enhance the lives of patients and advancing pharmacy. We do a lot of health fairs and clinics during flu shot season,” she said. “But we wanted to do something that would benefit our closest neighbors. So we thought a drive-up clinic would be perfect for residents close to campus who are out-and-about on the weekend.”

The Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and prepares student pharmacists for work in community pharmacy, hospitals, specialty health care facilities and mental health facilities.