23 VACCINE CLINICS DESIGNED BY OLIVIA DUNN Vaccine clinics become a common ocurrence around campus for students, faculty and staff. DEEP BREATH Second year pharmacy student Kaira Cypert talks to a patient before giving her the COVID-19 vaccine. Along with pharmacy faculty, students helped at the clincs on campus. Photo by: Kaitlyn Cutshall RIGHT OFF THE DAVID B. BURKS American Heritage lobby, white coats and masks drew eyes over to the campus vaccine clinic. Faculty from the Harding University College of Pharmacy (HUCOP) gave pamphlets, comfort and encouragement readily as graduate pharmacy students waited for the next member of the community to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Throughout the spring and fall 2021 semesters, vaccine clinics were hosted in the main hub of the student body. With full endorsement from the University leadership, chairs were filling and vials were moving. “I do feel that the students trust us more because we’re just like them and they view us as maybe not someone in a scary white coat, but a white coat with a friendly face that they recognize,” pharmacy student Kaira Cypert said. “There is a lot of misinformation, especially on social media,” Cypert said. “I tell people to do their own research, and if they have any questions, they can ask me as a healthcare provider. I will do my own research and get back to them with answers. It’s about doing your own research.” Students had to work together for the health of the student body. With each vaccine came an increased chance of staying on campus and participating in the student life activities that were missed the past couple of years. With the added ease of accessible vaccines, collaboration improved. “It’s pretty great how convenient it is,” senior Josh Grisham said. “It’s right here on campus. All my professors said I should get it done, and they did. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t have to go home again.” However, some dealt with hesitation to receive the vaccine due to personal views, beliefs and feelings. The decision to get vaccinated was a choice for each person individually. “A lot of people are vaccine-hesitant, I would say,” pharmacy student Graham Knight said. “It’s just interesting; you see so many different types of people with so many different opinions about the vaccine, and you have to learn how to relate to people and to communicate with people to quell their fears. At the end of the day, it is everyone’s own choice. In healthcare, we have to respect people’s autonomy.” WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH FISHER HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHO
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