The University of West Georgia recently hosted a record-breaking flu vaccination clinic, vaccinating more than 375 students, faculty and staff.
UWG’s Health Services annually provides flu shots for students, faculty and staff in the hopes of keeping the campus safe and healthy during flu season.
The vaccinations were administered by Clinical Specialty Practicum seniors in the Tanner Health System School of Nursing (THSSON), along with Health Services staff.
This year, THSSON set a goal to give 200 flu shots on campus. At the end of the day, they were elated to learn that they exceeded that goal by more than 50 percent, administering vaccines to 377 people.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 80,000 Americans died of influenza and its complications during the 2017-18 season,” said Dr. Jenny Schuessler, dean of THSSON. “This is the highest death toll from the flu in at least four decades, so clearly, the flu vaccination is an important preventative measure. We are proud to be a major part of this worthwhile effort. As a result, the university and the surrounding community are safer and healthier.”
Guiding faculty members, Dr. Tammy McClenny and Susie Jonassen, were incredibly proud of the hard work put in by the students and Health Services staff during the clinic.
“We tried to find a location where there was plenty of student traffic so we chose the Campus Center,” said Kelly Smith, director of nursing for Health Services. “We gave 352 flu shots during the day and another 25 that evening at Z-6. I have been an employee of the health center for almost seven years, and this was the best turnout for the flu clinic.”
