Robert King
Staff Writer
Cameron University hosted an annual Flu Shots and Lollipops event where students, faculty and staff could receive a free flu shot on a first come, first serve basis.
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 5-6 in the CETES Conference Center, the event provided 320 flu shots for free for those who presented a Cameron ID.
Kathy Cooper, Psych Coordinator for OU College of Nursing on the Cameron campus said it is important to promote wellness through events like Flu Shots and Lollipops.
“Students need to get flu shots to keep them and this community well during the flu season,” she said.
Nursing students volunteered to give flu shots to students and faculty.
Cooper said that giving flu shots benefits the nursing students at Cameron.
“They get to practice their IM injections,” she said. “They get to practice in a community setting, helping people at Cameron because we consider Cameron our community.”
Heather Taylor, an administrative assistant, phlebotomist, MA and clinical sight supervisor at Cameron’s Wellness Center said administering flu shots helps nursing students learn to properly give immunizations.
“Nursing students are required to give a certain amount of sticks [shots],” she said. “They have to have clinical hours, and learning how to do this prepares them for working at medical facilities after they graduate.
Cooper said the flu shots are a great preventative measure against a potentially deadly illness.
“The flu is really an ugly disease when you have it,” Cooper said. “You ache, you have high temperatures, sore throat, cough, runny nose, experience of nausea and vomiting. It’s really not a nice disease, some people die from the flu.”
Taylor said that the benefits of a healthy campus make for a more productive campus.
“If everyone is healthy then we’re all going to be able to do our jobs and go to class,” she said.
According to the CDC website, the current U.S. flu activity is low overall, but localized outbreaks have been reported. Influenza activity commonly begins to increase in October.
The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone older than six months. The influenza vaccine takes about two weeks for protection establish.
Flu shots can be purchased at any of the following businesses and locations: Walgreens, CVS, Walmart pharmacies, Sams Club and various medical facilities around Lawton. Visit fluzone.com and use the locator to find places in Lawton that offer shots.
For more information on the Influenza [flu] virus visit cdc.gov.