Georgia Southwestern employees and students receive first vaccine doses at campus clinics

Georgia Southwestern State University hosted its first two COVID-19 vaccine clinics in late March, vaccinating 300 members of the campus community, and plans to hold another clinic this week. Staff from the Student Health Center coordinated each clinic, with faculty and students from the School of Nursing also volunteering to help administer the vaccines.

“This is how we return to normal,” stated GSW President Neal Weaver, Ph.D. “This is the next step in creating a safe campus environment. We hope faculty, staff and students will take advantage of this opportunity and participate in receiving their vaccine.”

The first clinic, held March 18 during GSW’s spring break, was open to GSW employees and their immediate family members who met Georgia's Phase 1A+ eligibility requirements. Just a week later on March 25, a second clinic was opened up to all members of the GSW community after Georgia expanded vaccine eligibility to everyone over the age of 16.

GSW nursing students and faculty volunteered at both clinics, with students having the opportunity to administer COVID-19 vaccines to get the experience.

Emily Frey, senior nursing student, helped administer vaccines at GSW’s first clinic and was happy to play a role in such a “monumental moment” on campus.

With the state of Georgia recently expanding eligibility, all GSW faculty, staff and students became eligible for the vaccine so a second clinic was held on March 25.

Zaccaria Jordan, a senior early childhood education major, was one of those students vaccinated at the second clinic. The Crawford County native and president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. said she was excited to be protected against COVID-19 as she prepares to enter the classroom after graduation in May.

GSW softball player Kimberly Singer, a sophomore from Clearwater, Fl., was eager to be vaccinated and reunited with her loved ones. “I have been counting down the days to get the shot. I want to be able to see my family again, especially my grandparents. I haven’t been able to hug their necks since last February.”

GSW recently received an additional 250 Moderna doses from the state, further expanding the ability to vaccinate more members of the GSW campus community. Thursday, April 8 will mark the final chance for those interested to receive the first of two vaccine doses this semester.

Pictured above: GSW nursing student, Dane Stirrat, administers the vaccine to GSW staff member Yaqueline Torres.