There will likely be 1,228 fewer cases of the flu this year thanks to the efforts of the USF College of Public Health’s annual flu shot drive.
Lines formed early and moved fast at the all-day event at COPH.
Marking its 18th year for hosting the drive, the COPH welcomed a day-long steady stream of people seeking the seasonal flu vaccine as protection from influenza, the 8th leading cause of death in the United States.
In total, 1,121 people ages 18 to 64 and 107 people age 65 years and over received shots Oct. 24 from student volunteers specially trained to administer vaccinations. The annual effort includes volunteers from throughout USF Health through the USF Health Service Corps, including nursing, pharmacy, public health, physical therapy, said Ellen Kent, MPH, CPH, coordinator of COPH Student Research Grants, the Sunshine ERC, and USF Health Service Corps. The effort is a collaboration of COPH, USF Health and the Hillsborough County Health Department. There is no cost to the USF community or the public; COPH underwrites the cost of the vaccine, which is supplied by the Hillsborough County Health Department.
The event also includes multiple displays from student groups helping to share information about public health and the importance of getting vaccinated each year to reduce the risk of illness, including hospitalization, she said.
USF nursing students helped administer hundreds of flu shots.
USF nursing student Shannen Whiddon helps Dr. Donna Petersen avoid the flu this year.
Dozens of volunteers helped on the day. Here a team helps get medical forms signed.
Photos by Eric Younghans, USF Health Office of Communications, photos in Picasa by Ellen Kent, USF College of Public Health.
