University Health Center on East 13th Ave. is where many UO students and faculty receive vaccinations for COVID-19, Flu, and more.(Alyssa Garcia/Emerald)
In the midst of flu season and with the Coronavirus still present, the University Health Center promotes “Fight the Flu and COVID-19” by offering influenza and COVID vaccinations to students and personnel starting Oct. 2.
The University Health Center encourages students to be up to date on their vaccinations as a practice of public health, according to an email statement from the University Health Services.
“In a public health perspective, it helps bring down the risk of everyone in the community getting it [flu],” UO Physician John Wilson said. “The more that get it [the flu vaccine], the lower the risk for the whole population.”
“I appreciate that UO wants everyone else to get it [the COVID and flu vaccines] so people like me can be safe, without having to get a vaccine,” vaccination recipient and UO student Kaitlin Browne said. “I have other underlying health issues that they’re [vaccines] not a good idea for me to get,” Browne said.
Kaitlin Browne commended the UHS for adopting such a practice that allows people with underlying health issues to feel safe without being vaccinated.
UHS also offers other vaccines, like the Tdap and MMR shots.
According to numerous UO residents, many were unaware that the health center offered flu and COVID vaccines. When explicitly asked whether a participant has received the treatment at the UHS, 10 out of 12 responded “no” to an informal survey.
“I feel like people kind of ignore the posters sometimes and handouts,” Flu shot recipient and UO student Lydia Struble said. “Seeing it on social media, people are more aware of what’s going on,” Sturble said.
Faculty members and staff can plan to receive their influenza shots on Flu Shot Fridays, a service provided at the UHS pharmacy.
Some faculty members said they were unaware of the immunizations.
“If I knew about it, I might go to it because it would be easier, probably, to schedule with that [Flu Shot Fridays] service rather than through a pharmacy in town.” UO Librarian and Curator of Manuscripts and Special Collections, Linda Long, said.
“It took me a while to get the flu and COVID [vaccines] because of availability issues, so I had to go around to different pharmacies before I found availability,” Long said.
UO community members are at risk of catching the flu and COVID-19, as both viruses experience higher rates of transmission during the winter break gatherings and weather conditions. Vaccines are a mechanism to keep the community healthier and allow people to go about their lives quicker, UHS said in the email statement.
“We have a lot of patients coming in with the flu,” Wilson said. “The ones that are, I’m like ‘Did you get your flu shot,’ and they’re like, ‘No, I meant to do it but never got around to it,’ and now they got the flu.”
The UO Health Center urges UO community members to get their COVID immunization and influenza shot simultaneously. The CDC supports the coadministration of vaccines, emphasizing the safety and convenience of having both injections.
The university encourages students and facilities to speak with their health providers about the risks and safety of immunizations.
UHS will continue to monitor the downward trend of the flu and seek a period where COVID immunizations can come to a halt.
UO students and faculty can plan an arrangement by calling 541-346-2770 or through the myUOHealth portal.
“It was a great opportunity to take,” said Kira Vernon-Gauthier, a flu shot recipient. “I didn’t know it was as easy to get them,” Vernon-Gauthier said.
