The Point Park Student Health Center turned up the volume this past week during their “Rock the Shot” flu shot clinic. The clinic was held in partnership with WPPJ and Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD), providing flu vaccines and popular rock music at the same time. The clinic was available to all students and faculty.
While the crisp fall air overcomes Pittsburgh, flu season is quickly approaching. Taking the necessary precautions to prevent contracting the flu is crucial, and the first step in the process is vaccination. The “flu shot” is the most reliable way to not only lower the risk of the flu, but also the severity of symptoms, according to health officials.
Flu shot clinics are a great opportunity to get vaccinated. The Student Health Center prioritizes offering the vaccination through clinics such as “Rock the Shot.” This ran on Tuesday, Oct. 8, in Lawrence Hall 200. Students could choose to either sign up for a specific time slot or walk right into the room without an appointment.
Nurse Rebecca Harper, Director of Health Services and University Nurse, coordinated this event in collaboration with ACHD. ACHD handled the billing and insurance information individually with each student. The flu shot was offered for free.
Accessibility of the flu vaccine is crucial. Each year, the vaccine is updated to the flu viruses actively spreading. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends yearly seasonal influenza vaccinations for everyone ages six months or older who doesn’t have a medical reason to avoid the vaccine.
The Student Health Center wanted to ensure a fun and stress-free experience for everyone intending to receive their vaccine. Upon entering the pop-up clinic, loud rock music could be heard playing. After filling out some quick registration and insurance paperwork, students were directed to a private area where the flu shot was conducted with a staff member from ACHD, as well as a University of Pittsburgh nursing student.
“One of my goals in the health center is to bring as much here as possible so you guys don’t have to leave,” Harper said. “You’re so busy with classes and everything, and this way you can run past us in Lawrence Hall and stop in and get your flu shot.”
Harper further ensured that vaccination can be a positive experience for all students by involving a prize pack for individuals who registered. This prize pack was filled with an Amazon gift card and a pack of stuffed animal viruses.
WPPJ, Point Park’s radio station, had a booth with three student representatives at the event. First-year student, Maxwell Rolinson, junior Savannah Ikach, and senior Leah Revo represented the staff of the student-run radio station while queuing up iconic rock and roll music.
“The biggest thing that we’re here fo,r or that nurse Rebecca wanted us to do, was to just make people feel at ease and more comfortable,” said Ikach. “Some people get real squeamish getting a shot.”
Not only was the “Rock the Shot” clinic a fun way for WPPJ to make the vaccination experience fun, but the clinic also allowed the station to represent itself on campus.
“It’s nice to be here because a lot of people – way more than I thought – don’t know what WPPJ is, so it’s nice to just be like present in general, anywhere on campus,” said Revo.
The “Rock the Shot” clinic was a hit mix of music and flu shots. Students should stay on the lookout for other shot clinics and health opportunities presented by the health center on campus.
