COVID-19 Vaccine Sign | Photo by Diana Jaber | The Wright State Guardian
The coronavirus vaccine is now available for Ohioans age 16 and up, and Wright State University (WSU) students contributed to nearly half of all coronavirus vaccinations in Greene County.
By the numbers
“Our current nursing students have really stepped up to the challenge before us. No one is more prepared than those over 20 student nurses,” nursing professor Dr. Ann Stalter said on the Raider Report Podcast on Sunday.
Stalter said that she has had the opportunity to coordinate five WSU faculty members who oversee nearly 40 students in Greene County. Since January 21, these students have inoculated nearly 12,000 residents ages 50 and older.
The Greene County Health Department aims for 144,000 residents to be fully vaccinated to reach herd immunity. Herd immunity is defined as having 80% of 180,000 residents vaccinated.
“These students today are making history and having a positive impact on their community,” Stalter said.
Wright State Physicians
Located at 725 University Blvd. in Fairborn, Wright State Physicians is providing Raiders and the surrounding community with 100 Moderna vaccines per week.
“We have vaccinated over 300 people thus far, including registered family medicine patients, home-bound geriatric patients, community members and students at Wright State,” Director of Student Health Services Genessa Merritt said.
Merritt says on average Wright State Physicians will run one or two vaccination clinics per week.
The next available vaccination clinic will take place on April 3, with another clinic scheduled for April 10.
“These clinics will have 100 vaccination slots available each day. We have allocated 50 slots for those wishing to sign up online using the Wright State Physicians portal service, and the remaining 50 slots can be accessed by calling 937.245.7200,” Merritt said.
Merritt acknowledged the fear that some residents may have in receiving their vaccine but encourages them to schedule their vaccines for the greater good of the community.
“We haven’t seen the adverse reactions that people are oftentimes afraid of. You may experience pain in the injection site or a low-grade fever. It’s reassuring to know that the side effects that scare people off aren’t typically happening here,” Merritt said.
Student Experience
Hailing from Columbus, WSU sophomore Taylor Burns always wanted to become a Raider.
“I fell in love with the campus so when bowling recruitment was happening, it was just perfect. I like how Wright State is small, but not too small. It’s also just far enough away from my home but not too far, if that makes sense,” Burns said.
Burns said that she hasn’t really had the opportunity to experience a normal semester at the university, but hopes that area vaccination efforts will prompt a return to normalcy in the near future.
“Being separated from everyone over the past year has had a big impact on me. Typically, I’m always hanging out with the girls on the team, so to have to be away from them throughout the past year was an adjustment for sure,” Burns said.
Burns is scheduled to receive her coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday.
For information on scheduling a coronavirus vaccine through Wright State Physicians, click here.
