WSU students will have access to flu vaccinations, administered by WSU pharmacy students.
By Stephanie Schendel
Bartell Drugs donated 2,000 flu vaccines to WSU, which will allow the College of Pharmacy to administer free vaccinations to any student who wants one.
The University of Washington also received 2,000 flu vaccines, according to the Bartell Drugs press release.
Jennifer Robinson, a professor in the College of Pharmacy, said she was very happy to receive the donation.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to vaccinate a population of people who live in very close quarters and have limited access to preventive health care and have limited budgets,” Robinson said.
Marsha Turnbull, the Health Education Administrator at Health and Wellness Services, said she was excited to hear about the donation and thinks students should take advantage of this free flu vaccination.
In general, she said she believes college students are under-vaccinated when it comes to flu season.
The shots will be administered by WSU pharmacy students during three different clinics.
“We are going to be setting up this Friday at the CUB from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.,” Robinson said. “It will be first come first serve. Anyone who wants a flu vaccine will be given one.” The second clinic will be offered in the WSU Spokane Academic Center lobby on Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the third clinic will be on Feb. 1 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center.
Turnbull said this year’s flu shot includes vaccination against the H1N1 strain while last year’s did not.
“The flu season varies,” Turnbull said. “Some years it starts very early, like in October. This year I have noticed there are some flu and influenza activity in the area, which means its peak time will be in February. It can go through March and even April.”
