Roll up your sleeves, students, faculty and staff. UNMC College of Pharmacy students are administering free flu vaccinations for the fifth consecutive year as part of their award-winning “Operation Immunization.”
The groundbreaking annual project features a novel process in which pharmacist interns run the vaccination clinics and deliver the shots. The project is the result of a unique collaboration between the college, student health, family medicine, employee health and the UNMC chapter of the American Pharmacists Association — Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP).
Flu shots available soon across enterprise
The students train and work with a multidisciplinary team in order to bring the project to life.
“Lots of people talk about interprofessional collaboration — these pharmacist interns actually do it every day in clinic,” said Ally Dering-Anderson, Pharm.D., clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice.
“Operation Immunization” has already provided more than 200 flu shots, and counting, this year. With several more clinics on the calendar (see list below), the effort likely will hit its usual number of more than 1,000 vaccinations by the end of this year’s run.
In addition to providing hands-on training to the students and preventive health to the campus, “Operation Immunization” also is an ongoing research project. College of Pharmacy faculty are looking at ways to increase efficiencies and reduce costs, in community immunization efforts.
Campus community members are welcome to get their flu shots at the Lozier Center for Pharmacy Sciences and Education at the dates and times below. Look for the line to the clinic on the first floor at the foot of the main staircase.
“Operation Immunization” dates:
- Sept. 30, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
- Oct. 1-4, 7-7:45 a.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.
- Oct. 23, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
- Nov. 5, 3-6 p.m.
- Nov. 7, 3-6 p.m.