Flu shots now available in campus health center
Anna Moseley |
Although the weather still feels like summer, flu season is quickly approaching, and Erin Keckley, family nurse practitioner and the director of health services, encourages everyone to get their flu vaccination.
“We work in a high-congregation area,” said Keckley. “For the health and safety of yourself and those around you, get your flu shots. Last year, we had one of the deadliest flu seasons in a long time. Over 80,000 people died from the flu, but we are working to protect our Lipscomb community.”
The Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone over the age of six months old receive a flu shot every year, even if you received one the previous year, because every flu season is different. Lipscomb University’s nursing and pharmacy students are here to help you get your flu vaccine with ease.
“The flu shot is not only important to protect the person receiving the vaccination, but also those around them,” said Dr. Sarah Uroza, assistant professor of pharmacy. “If you protect yourself against the flu you also protect children, elderly, and those that may not be able to get a flu shot due to other health concerns. It is just as important to get to flu shot to protect yourself as it is to protect the ones you love.”
Pharmacy and nursing students administered flu immunizations in the Bennett Campus center Oct. 1-4, and will be in the student center again today, Oct. 5 from 11-2 and tomorrow, Oct. 6 from 12-2. For faculty and staff, these students will also be at the faculty and staff picnic in front of Burton Health Sciences Center on Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The vaccinations cost $20 for students and visitors, and are free for faculty and staff. The pharmacy and nursing students will accept cash, check, cards and Venmo payments for convenience.
“We have given about 200 vaccinations so far. We have been on the university campus and at the lower and upper schools giving vaccines,” said Keckley.
The students gave vaccinations at the Green Hills Festival and they will continue to be present at community events to help prevent flu cases in this area.
Flu symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, body aches and more. Keckley urges students to be diligent in watching their symptoms. If you do catch the virus, the health services center can offer some treatments to remedy your symptoms, but the treatments work best when the symptoms are detected early.
“Vaccinations reduce your risk of getting the flu and of hospitalizations from the flu,” said Keckley. “You can’t get the flu from the flu shot. You can have minor side effects such as soreness or redness, headaches and low-grade fevers.”
The student health center welcomes you to come into the office during business hours and get your immunization if you cannot make it to any of the October events.
“According to the CDC, the single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year, so get vaccinated today,” said Keckley.
Want to know more? Visit Visit www.lipscomb.edu/healthcenter.