Lipscomb fights flu season with six public flu clinics this October
Lacey Klotz |
The Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences is raising awareness of American Pharmacist Month by helping the community fight flu season with six flu clinic offerings within the first week of October.
“Oftentimes people think pharmacists only count pills, however, in light of American Pharmacist Month, we want to enlighten the community of the services pharmacists can provide as well as invite them out to one of our flu clinic offerings,” said Sarah Uroza, assistant professor of pharmacy practice. “Because a pharmacist requires a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from a college of pharmacy as well as a license in the state of his/her practice, pharmacists are able to vaccinate adults and children; perform health screenings for blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol; provide information on patient assistant programs – all of which we are doing at this year’s clinics.”
Lipscomb’s student pharmacists are offering several opportunities for the community to receive flu vaccinations, as well as providing free blood pressure checks and blood glucose screenings during the 15-minute waiting period after the immunization is administered. Nursing students will also participate in select clinics.
At Lipscomb’s annual Family Weekend, “Fight the Flu in the U,” a convenient drive-up flu clinic will be offered, Saturday, Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside of the Burton Health Sciences Center (access is from Belmont Boulevard). The clinics will continue each day, Monday, Oct. 3 through Friday, Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Center, located in the Bennett Campus Center.
The cost is $20 for the Qudrivalent flu shots, which is $5 less than many other providers. Immunizations can be provided for children as young as four years old, and cash, checks and credit cards are all accepted.
For the second time, Lipscomb’s human resources office is offering free flu vaccines to all full-time faculty and staff as part of their health benefit package. A discounted price of $12 is also offered to spouses of full-time faculty and staff.
Aside from the scheduled flu clinics, there will be an exclusive opportunity for full-time employees to receive their vaccinations at the faculty/staff picnic on Friday, Oct. 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We are excited to once again offer free vaccinations to Lipscomb’s full-time employees and discounted vaccinations for their spouses,” said Uroza. “We are confident that the campus will be a healthier place because of it.”
Over 6,000 vaccinations were given by Lipscomb health science students last year, and nearly 200 Lipscomb student pharmacists will be involved in the flu shot clinics this year. All Lipscomb student pharmacists are certified to give vaccines and many already worked in retail pharmacies and many have administered flu vaccines at on-campus clinics for the past six years.
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.