CAMPUS: TAMIU hosts flu-drive during Spirit Week
By Juan Carlos Puente
Editor-in-chief
Published Thursday, March 28, 2024
Consent Week provided free student flu vaccines through a Visit with Nurse Barbie.
The Feb. 7 event was hosted by the Texas A&M International University Student Health Services in collaboration with the Campus Activities Board and Title IX office.
Jennifer Sanchez, left, gets a flu vaccine from TAMIU Registered Nurse Susana Rodriguez during a flu drive on Feb. 7 in the Student Center.
“We decided that this is a perfect time for students to come by and get their flu vaccine, because flu is still around,” Associate Director of Student Health Services and Registered Nurse Marycarmen Salinas said. “So, many people are still getting sick and we wanna make sure our TAMIU students are protected before it gets any worse.”
Student Health Services also collaborates with other offices throughout the school year, in addition to their own major event known as Wicked Wellness Week, which takes place each fall. This event includes the new batch of flu vaccines available for the public; these last until the new year and come in as early as September. The current flu vaccines are valid until this coming summer, specifically June.
“We wanna make sure students know that it’s available to them and it’s free, and it’s to help protect them,” Salinas said.
“Hundreds of students have come by our office to take advantage of this flu vaccine … our goal is for our students to be healthy and safe, so they can be able to have that mind ready to grasp all of the knowledge they need for their classes.”
Interested persons may inquire in Student Center Room 125; they accept walk-ins or appointments. The vaccine is offered year round, aside from the periods while waiting for updated vaccines to arrive. Salinas said the best ways to avoid the flu, aside from vaccination, includes: clean hands, avoid touching the eyes as much as possible, avoid sharing food or beverages, disinfect areas and use proper hygiene.
