Even as the national government reworks immunization practices, Latin administrators are preserving community access. Faculty and staff recently had the opportunity to receive flu and COVID vaccines at school via clinics in partnership with Jewel-Osco.
The clinics, which took place on Oct. 10, 18, and 21, provided faculty and staff across all divisions with a quick way to get vaccinated. The vaccine clinics at Latin are offered annually, but they took on greater significance this year in the midst of nationwide vaccine regulation and distribution conflicts.
Many faculty and staff took advantage of the clinics.
College counselor Jennifer Taylor articulated her motivations for receiving the vaccination. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been encouraged—especially with the flu shot—because it can be quite scary, the older you get, if you were to get a bad case of the flu,” she said. “I’m a firm believer in maintaining good health and being proactive with it.”
Upper School computer science teacher Bobby Oommen seconded Ms. Taylor’s motivation for attending the clinic. “I take my health very seriously, and I believe in the use of vaccinations, both for my personal health and as my responsibility as a community member to take advantage of free vaccinations,” he said.
However, Mr. Oommen’s vaccination considerations also ran deeper, connecting back to his family history. “I was born in India, and it was during the time when smallpox was a thing, so when kids were young, we had to get these smallpox vaccines,” he said. “It saved many people’s lives, and many young kids [didn’t] have access to health care, so I know firsthand how important it was in India and to stave off illness [and] disease.”
Middle and Upper School nurse Tesia Milton echoed Mr. Oommen’s story, stressing the centrality of vaccines to previous health efforts. “Vaccination has played a significant role in protecting public health throughout history by reducing the spread and severity of many infectious diseases,” she said.
Organized by administrators, Latin’s clinics gave faculty and staff a way to act on these motivations and exercise agency over their health. Ms. Milton said, “This year, our amazing Human Resources Department coordinated with a representative from Jewel-Osco to organize the vaccination clinics.”
Jewel-Osco pharmacy manager Demi McGill, one of the pharmacists involved in the clinics, described the set-up process. “We bring all the vaccines, all the supplies, everything that’s needed,” she said. “Each participant gets a 10%-off grocery coupon.”
Latin college counselor Jennifer Taylor signs paperwork with Jewel-Osco pharmacy manager Demi McGill. (Scarlet Gitelson)
As cold and flu season rears its head, health professionals encourage Latin community members to consider vaccinations. “I recommend students, faculty, and staff consult with their healthcare providers when making vaccination decisions to ensure choices that best support their individual health and well-being,” Ms. Milton said.
For faculty and staff who did not attend the clinics, or for students who haven’t received their vaccinations yet, Ms. McGill emphasized that there is still time before flu season kicks into full swing. “You can still receive the flu shot late into December, or even January, if you were out of town or you did not have the opportunity to get it,” she said. “[It’s] still better to get it late than never.”
In addition to vaccinations, Ms. Milton highlighted other ways for the community to stay safe during cold and flu season. Handwashing, resting, maintaining healthy nutrition, staying active, and avoiding touching one’s nose or mouth all made her list.
Yet, while there are many strategies that allow community members to protect their health, Ms. Taylor noted her appreciation for the convenience of Latin’s clinics. “I would have probably done it otherwise, but the fact that it’s in the building, and it’s easy, and I can knock out two shots at once—that’s a win-win for me,” she said.
Ms. McGill emphasized the importance of the clinics. She said, “Not only are you protecting yourself, but you are protecting your community as well.”
