The college’s annual immunization clinic expands to include COVID-19, other infectious diseases

URI College of Pharmacy students administered about 200 vaccines Wednesday, helping protect fellow students, faculty and staff members against COVID-19 and the flu, along with a host of other infections, during an immunization clinic in Avedisian Hall.

All members of the URI community — 19 years of age or older — were welcome to get a cost-free (with insurance) shot administered by trained, senior pharmacy students, under the direction of Clinical Professor Virginia Lemay. The immunization clinic extends beyond COVID and the flu. Vaccines including RSV; tetanus, diptheria and pertussis; Meningitis B; Pneumococcal pneumonia; and shingles were also available upon request.

In addition to serving the campus community and helping improve public health, the pharmacy students gained valuable experience, not only administering the shots, but in delivering the full-service patient care they’ll need to when working in a pharmacy or hospital setting, according to Lemay.

“This gives them the chance to talk a little with their patients, which they don’t always get the chance to do on their clinical rotations,” Lemay said. “The students get valuable experience listening to patients, addressing their concerns, while practicing their immunization skills, and performing a public service for the community.”

Getting a flu and COVID vaccine is the easiest and best way to protect oneself from the potentially deadly viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. The flu vaccine is updated each year to protect against the most common strains of the disease currently circulating. The CDC recommends people of all ages get the shot, even if they are generally in good health.

The College of Pharmacy has hosted a flu clinic each of the last 10 years, vaccinating about 200 students faculty and staff members each year, before expanding it to include COVID and the other infections this year.