Last year, pharmacy students immunized more than 300 people on campus.
OXFORD, Miss. – Students in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy are making it easier than ever to get a flu shot on campus.
The local chapter of the American Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists has coordinated multiple opportunities in September and October for faculty, staff and students to receive their shots. The drive is in conjunction with Operation Immunization, a national awareness campaign sponsored by APhA.
“The purpose of our project is to promote flu vaccinations on campus,” said Kelsey Stephens, president of APhA-ASP. “Last year, Ole Miss pharmacy students immunized more than 305 students and faculty through this event. This year we hope to increase awareness of the drive among students and faculty.”
The organization kicked off the campaign by partnering with the UM Department of Athletics.
“Our students are passionate about promoting the health of their fellow students, as well as the health of our faculty and staff,” said David D. Allen, the school’s dean. “It was fitting that they began their flu shot drive by offering immunizations to student-athletes.”
According to Joseph A. Dikun, a graduate assistant in the Department of Pharmacy Administration and co-adviser of the organization, the flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against the virus.
“The School of Pharmacy and APhA-ASP want to do our part educating and assisting faculty, staff and students on ways to avoid this preventable and costly illness,” Dikun said. “Let’s keep the University of Mississippi a healthy and productive community.”
This year’s event is larger than ever, Dikun said.
“The student leadership of APhA-ASP has gone above and beyond the call of duty to assist Ole Miss in being a healthy campus this flu season,” he said. “The drive has grown from three days to more than two weeks.”
Immunizations will be given:
- Sept. 23, 1:15-4:15 p.m. at Residential College South
- Sept. 23, 5-8 p.m. at the Turner Center
- Sept. 24, 2:30-5:30 p.m. at Ridge North Residence Hall
- Sept. 29, 2:30-5:30 p.m. at the Lyceum
- Sept. 30, 10-11:50 a.m. and 1:15-2 p.m. at the Student Health Fair in the Student Union
- Oct. 1, 8 a.m.-noon in the Circle
- Oct. 2, 8-9 a.m. in the School of Law
- Oct. 3, 12:30-4:30 p.m. in the Student Union
The flu shots normally cost faculty, staff and students $25. University employees can bill the cost directly to their insurance by bringing their ID number and insurance card.
Stephens said she hopes this project will allow her fellow students to become more actively involved in increasing the number of people who receive their yearly flu vaccination.
“We also want to teach the public that providing flu shots is only one of the ways pharmacists can impact their patients’ lives,” she said. “I challenge everyone that gets a flu shot to ask about the ways pharmacists can help patients make the best use of their medication and assist them in achieving healthy behaviors.”
For more information about the campaign, contact Stephens at kcstephe15@gmail.com.