PHOTO BY: ADITYA KHARE Gabe Hinojosa administers flu vaccinations at last year’s Operation Immunization.
Operation Immunization will begin providing flu shots to The University of Mississippi beginning today through Oct. 3.
Powered by UM pharmacy students, Operation Immunization is a project that promotes adult immunizations within the university community. Students, who make up the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists, will volunteer their time and give shots while also raising awareness.
“APhA wants to provide a patient-care project that will allow our student pharmacists to be actively involved in increasing the number of people who receive their yearly vaccination,” said Kelsey Stephens, president-elect of the local association chapter.
This year’s edition of Operation Immunization will surely be the most successful in recent memory. In past years, the vast majority of flu shots were administered in the School of Pharmacy. In 2012, 100-plus vaccinations were administered, and this increased to more than 300 vaccinations in 2013.
Farjad Khan, vice president of the School of Pharmacy Class of 2017, said this year will be a much larger effort.
The total number of immunization dates has increased from four in 2013 to 10 in 2014. Pharmacy association members will gain hands-on experience in various locations including the Student Union, the Turner Center, the Robert C. Khayat Law Center, several dormitories and outdoors in the Circle. The pharmacy association has also partnered with the Athletics Department to provide all student-athletes with immunizations.
Greg Butz, who is in the second professional year of pharmacy school, said many college students underestimate their chances of catching the flu.
High-density conditions such as close living setups, public restrooms and the many social activities that occur in Oxford can put students at risk.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity can occur as early as October and as late as May. After vaccination, it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu.
Flu shots will cost $25. Payment can be billed to a bursar account or insurance provider; just bring a student ID and/or insurance card.
