by Andrei Pagnotta
On Tuesday and Thursday, Slippery Rock University partnered with Giant Eagle Pharmacy to hold a vaccine clinic at the ARC and Alumni House from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To prepare students for the fall and winter season, the clinic offered both flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines/boosters. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated every flu season. While we are not in pandemic mode as we were four years ago, the CDC still recommends everyone over the age of 6 months to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Yale School of Medicine reported that this fall, the FLiRT strain – a subvariant of Omicron, and the LB.1 strain have been accounting for more infections in the United States. The CDC has reported that in the United States, Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) have been the most circulated flu strains.
The American Medical Association released a statement detailing that the new vaccine is not a reinvented vaccine but rather a modified vaccine to keep up with the current strains. The new vaccine is designed to give the best protection for new variants of COVID-19. The CDC recommends that people receive all recommended boosters as well.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health in Butler County has said that cases are not on the rise now.
“So far, it’s not been too bad, but it is still early,” a spokesperson from the Butler County Department of Health said.
Although mass collection of COVID-19 cases ended following the state of emergency’s end in April 2023, thus making data collection less robust, the CDC continues to monitor the rise and fall of COVID cases.
According to the CDC, Pennsylvania is ranked as “stable” when predicting its epidemic status based on National Syndromic Surveillance Program data.
While the vaccine is important for keeping yourself healthy in the fall and winter months, the CDC also recommends that everybody continue to maintain good hygiene.
If you are sick, the Pennsylvania Department of Health recommends people “should mask, and if you’re sick you should social distance.” The CDC continues to recommend that you wear a mask to protect yourself even further from infection.
To register for future vaccine clinics, you must do so in advance online to secure a time. You will need to print the administration form for both vaccines.
When you arrive for your dosage, you are asked to bring your health insurance card, your Giant Eagle Advantage Card and if you would like five dollars in free groceries.
According to the CDC, it is safe to receive COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same visit.
Following the events, future influenza vaccinations can be administered by Student Health Services pending an appointment while supplies last. Other vaccinations are available at local pharmacies for staff and students as needed.
You can contact Student Health Services at 724.738.2052 with any questions.
