A combination of tactics led to a higher percentage vaccinated earlier for the 2013-2014 season
Sept. 30, 2013
CONTACT: Catherine A. Seemann, Communications Coordinator, 352-273-4551, marketing@shcc.ufl.edu
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida students came out in droves for free flu shots, t-shirts and other giveaways at the UF Student Health Care Center’s flu shot kickoff event, held on Friday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Infirmary Building front lawn at 280 Fletcher Drive.
But students didn’t just come for an orange and blue t-shirt. “Flu shots help everyone by keeping overall infection rates low,” said Catherine A. Seemann, SHCC Communications Coordinator. “And the last thing a busy student needs is to be sick—or have a sick roommate.”
By 1:30 p.m., all 750 t-shirts had been given away, but students still lined up for flu shots. By the end of the event at 2 p.m., the SHCC had provided 1,044 flu vaccines, doubling their dosages in comparison to last year’s kickoff event, which garnered just 500 vaccinated students.
GatorWell Health Promotion Services was also at the event, offering unique health education information and giveaways.
NOTE: Free flu shots and giveaways at the Sept. 20 event were for UF students with a current UF ID only. UF students can still obtain free flu shots at the SHCC Infirmary Building or SHCC@Shands (Health Science Center) on a walk-in basis. Outreach clinics around campus will also provide free flu shots for students throughout September and October.
For more information about the kickoff event and flu shots in general, visit Flu (Influenza) Shots.