Free flu shots are available at the Wellness Center every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Courtesy of Sofía García Vargas \ The Crow’s Nest
By Sofía García Vargas
As part of USF St. Petersburg’s preventative behavior against illnesses, the Wellness Center is offering flu shots free of charge to students, faculty and staff.
Since the return to in-person classes, the Bulls community regained a sense of normalcy through social interaction. However, with socialization comes the spread of viruses like the flu.
The COVID-19 pandemic has undermined the awareness of protecting oneself from other viruses. As a result, the Wellness Center wants to shift students’ focus back to everyday risks.
Wellness Center Assistant Director of Prevention Services Victoria Beltran explained the importance of getting a flu shot when the community is more likely to see rising flu cases.
“We don’t want to make the pandemic worse by having more flu cases because those people might not be able to get care when they need it due to hospital shortages,” Beltran said.
Beltran said it has been scientifically proven that the flu shot prevents infections, reduces the chances of getting hospitalized and is safe to receive.
“All vaccines released in the U.S. are safe to take. They go through a rigorous review process firmly rooted in the scientific method,” Beltran said. “Anyone who has questions about vaccines, their safety, and whether they should get it, should talk to their doctor.”
The Wellness Center aims to raise awareness against misinformation and pseudoscience.
“Facts may make people uncomfortable, and they may be difficult at times to understand, as is the case with science sometimes. But opinions don’t outweigh the scientific fact that vaccines are public health successes that have saved millions of lives all around the world,” Beltran said.
With this initiative, the Wellness Center seeks to protect the USF community and remove any barriers they might have in obtaining the flu shot.
Free flu shots are available at the Wellness Center every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule an appointment call (727) 873-4422, option two.
For more information visit stpetersburg.usf.edu/student-life/wellness.
