The med center’s award-winning and now long-running “Operation Immunization” again will see UNMC pharmacy students administering flu vaccinations to the Omaha campus community free of charge, beginning Sept. 9.
High-dose vaccines are available for those born before 1960 (age 65 and over). Please bring your UNMC ID.
This is the first of multiple opportunities to receive a flu shot and other vaccinations. Watch UNMC Today and other outlets for information on other upcoming vaccine clinics at the med center.
Operation Immunization clinics will offer free flu vaccines daily the weeks of Sept. 9-13 and Sept. 16-20. See adjoining sidebar for more information on hours and location.
A unique collaboration between the UNMC College of Pharmacy, student health, family medicine, employee health and the UNMC chapter of the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists, Operation Immunization has delivered more than 15,000 flu shots since 2017. Pharmacy students – pharmacist interns – administer the vaccines and run the clinics, learning clinical skills and workflow.
The project, which also serves as a research study, has been lauded nationally. It’s also become a tradition at UNMC.
“What was an attempt to teach students to administer vaccines and run tuberculosis skin tests has become a part of fall at our college,” said Ally Dering-Anderson, PharmD, professor of pharmacy practice and science.
Several faculty and staff throughout the college and across the med center volunteer to support and supervise the pharmacy students, empowering the pharmacist interns to run the show. This year’s co-chairs are Chase Clausen and Abby Quadhamer.
Operation Immunization also annually runs off-site clinics to serve area homeless and refugee populations.