By: Rachel Kucharski
Director of Wellness Amanda Dymek is encouraging everyone to receive the flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
The shots will be available from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, in Whitaker Atrium. A second clinic, with just flu vaccine, will be held Thursday, Oct. 12, in Whitaker Atrium, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The flu shot is highly recommended for people with compromised immune systems. The shot gives a little dose of the sickness, so when one comes in contact with it, the immune system is able to recognize it and fight it off more efficiently.
“We need them every year because our immune system doesn’t remember as much from the previous years, so you have to refresh it,” Dymek said.
“It is certainly a sickness season,” Dymek said, noting that flu and COVID-19 cases tend to rise from September to March and that is why it’s important to get the vaccines now before it’s too late.
In addition to the campus clinics, flu and COVID shots are available at pharmacies and the health center and are covered by nearly all insurance. For those without insurance, the cost ranges from $20 to $70.
The Wellness Center is no longer keeping a log of the COVID-19 cases, but Dymek said there have been around 15 cases reported on campus so far this semester. COVID-19 is being treated like flu and other illnesses with isolation for five days and then wearing a mask.
Dymek encourages students to prepare a sick kit containing items like Dayquil, tissues, masks and cough drops to slow the spread of any sickness. Dymek also encourages students to wash their hands often. She also advises students to refrain from sharing water bottles and to wash their bed sheets at least once a week.
For more information about COVID protocol on Hood’s campus visit https://www.hood.edu/hood-community and search under the health and wellness tab.
Any further questions about Wellness can be answered by wellness@hood.edu
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