Campus community vaccine clinic returns

As a follow-up to New College’s first community walkup clinic on April 19, the campus is hosting another free vaccination session from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fri. May 14 at Harry Sudakoff Conference Center.

Last month’s event aimed to increase vaccine accessibility by opening up doses to all eligible recipients in Sarasota-Manatee. It was the beginning of a health partnership designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and the Sarasota County Health Department administered about 120 shots of the Moderna vaccine.

“Really, this is about getting the vaccine out to as many people as possible, and the Health Department is able to provide as many doses as we need for this clinic,” said Anne Fisher, Ph.D., the program director for New College’s Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC), who helped facilitate the event.

The clinic is a partnership between New College, the  Health Department and Hedges HealthMart Pharmacy.

“They are great partners for us in making the vaccine clinics happen,” Fisher said.

On the New College side, Fisher, CWC Health Educator Susan Stahley and Jeff Thomas (the director of campus space scheduling) are spearheading the process.

All students, faculty, staff and alumni from New College and the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (USFSM)—as well as everyone ages 18 and older in the greater Sarasota-Manatee area—is welcome to attend the clinic without appointments or insurance.

Attendees who have already received a first dose of the vaccine must bring a vaccination card to the upcoming clinic. Those who have not yet been vaccinated are welcome to attend the clinic for a first dose.

Participants will also have the option to receive free HIV and Hepatitis C testing at no cost, along with information about PrEP (a one-pill-a-day regimen that prevents the spread of HIV).

To learn more about New College’s COVID-19 updates and resources, visit ncf.edu/covid-19.