Adam’s County Health Department workers came to the campus of Quincy University Wednesday, November 10, 2021 and delivered COVID-19 booster shots to the students and staff who have already received the total dose of Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson and Johnson.

Family and friends who wished to get the booster shot were welcomed and approved if a certain form was filled out and submitted to Christine Tracy, Ed.D., vice president for student development, prior to arriving that afternoon.

All that was essential for check-in was an original vaccination card and a picture I.D. This was the final opportunity for the vaccinated members of the QU community to receive a booster shot on campus administered by the Adam’s County Health Department.

As of November 5, the latest two rounds of surveillance testing have been conducted for the relevant students, staff, and faculty, and over 250 tests have been administered. All known test results were negative.

QU’s current all-community vaccination rate is 83%.

One QU student, who has aspirations of becoming a teacher one day, says her students and their health always comes first.

“I chose to get the booster shot because I work in a school with kids that have many different health conditions and I personally think that I am keeping them safer and I am keeping myself safer in a populated environment,” Josie Eriksen said.

As the 2021 fall semester is wrapping up and the holiday season breaks are impending, now seems like a perfect time to acquire protection before traveling back home for the holiday’s to see loved ones.

“I’m going home for the holiday’s, I’m going to be seeing my grandparents, I’m going to see all of my family, and I would like to be well protected and I would like to protect my loved ones,” QU student Emily LeBlanc stated.

LeBlanc believes it is a common courtesy to think of others during this time and feels as if she is protecting herself then she is protecting other people around her as well.

If an individual has already received the initial COVID-19 vaccination shot, it is highly recommended for a follow up in getting a booster shot.

“I’m an asthmatic so I would be considered high-risk and since I got the first one, I thought I’d be more protected from it,” QU student Gibson Moncel said.

As more individuals get vaccinated around campus, the university hopes the increase of vaccinations rates cuts the spread of COVID-19 and mask wearing for the upcoming 2022 spring semester.

“I believe the more people we can get vaccinated and the more people we can get to actually get their booster shot the safer we will all be,” Eriksen said. “The vaccines might not always be guaranteed but I think something is better than nothing at this point in order to get back to as close to normal life as we can.”