Students can easily receive a flu shot this year by attending a clinic that was set up by the Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter at Drake University.
The flu shot clinic will be partnered with Medicap pharmacies and will be on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 12-3 p.m. at the Sig Ep house. The clinic is open to the entire Drake community and Medicap will donate 12 meals to the Food Bank of Iowa for each shot administered.
“I first came up with the idea because I had a dream that I was giving flu shots at Drake one night,” said Nevin Radechel who started the Sig Ep flu clinic. “The more I thought about it, I realized that I didn’t remember ever seeing flu shot clinics on campus and thought it would be a good opportunity to take advantage of.”
Radechel said getting a flu shot is important, especially approaching flu season.
“Vaccination is the by far one of the easiest ways to save lives and money for the healthcare system,” Radechel said. “I also think the biggest takeaway from the event is that if you are passionate about something and realize that something can be improved, don’t let anything stop you from your goals. Yes, giving flu shots isn’t saving the world but it still makes a difference and it would have never happened if I stopped after first getting rejected by Drake for the idea.”
Other Sig Ep members like Max Hoxie, who is a junior student at Drake, said the clinic will make flu shots accessible for students.
“I’ve found that the Sig Ep flu shot clinic is an extremely convenient way for Drake students to get a flu shot,” said Hoxie. “As we know, many Drake students are quite busy, but the proximity of Sig Ep makes it extremely easy. Getting a flu shot is extremely important to both my health and the health of those I care about.”
Sig Ep member and Drake student body president Adam Koch said getting a flu shot is vital for the Drake community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Flu shots are important to protect your health and the health of those around you,” Koch said. “It would be a struggle for the campus community if we had to deal with flu and COVID outbreaks and getting a flu shot can help minimize that threat.”
Participants in the clinic are required to fill out an insurance form before the shot. If the insurance cannot cover the flu shot, then the price will be $35.
This will be the fourth annual flu shot clinic that Sig Ep has hosted. For more information or questions about the flu shot clinic, students or community members can reach out to Nevin Radechel at nevin.radechel@drake.edu.