Wayne State University’s Campus Health Center (CHC) has won the Alana Yaksich National and State College and University Flu Challenge in the Large School category for the 2020-21 year. This is the seventh straight year CHC has won the state challenge and the second year they have won the national challenge.
According to Erika Blaskay, community outreach RN at CHC, the center hosted more than 25 outreach events in September and October to allow the Warrior community easy access to the flu vaccine. Through these events and regularly scheduled appointments at CHC, approximately 3,000 WSU faculty, staff and students received the vaccine, securing CHC’s success in the challenge.
The Campus Health Center partnered with the College of Nursing and the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to provide valuable and safe clinical experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing and pharmacy students assisted with community outreach and administered the flu vaccine to the WSU community.
Vaccinating against the flu is the easiest way to prevent contraction of the virus; however, studies have shown that the percentage of those who receive the vaccine is low. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu vaccination rates on U.S. college campuses tend to be between 8% and 39%.
“This year’s victory comes with even greater meaning when you factor in the coronavirus pandemic and the added importance of vaccination to keep the Warrior community healthy,” explained Blaskay. “Our team at CHC promotes and educates our students, faculty and staff so that everyone can make informed decisions related to the advantages of getting vaccinated.”
All Wayne State faculty, staff and enrolled students are mandated to receive the annual flu vaccine if they will be on campus any day this winter. This includes any faculty, staff and enrolled students who represent Wayne State University at off-campus locations, such as clinicals and off-site internships.
It is not too late to get the vaccine. For more information about getting a flu shot, see the 2020-21 flu shot webpage. The CHC is located at 5285 Anthony Wayne Drive.