The email has appeared in our inboxes; the vaccines are available to college students and most are excited to receive them, according to a recent press release. Studies conducted by Gunderson, UW-L, and Viterbo, show that more than two–thirds of the population of four-year college students in La Crosse are planning on receiving a vaccine. Viterbo students credited as investigators in these studies were Laura Weidemann, Nichole Steinborn, and Megan Messa.
Viterbo students themselves have received an email from administration with information on how to book an appointment through Mayo Clinic. Though vaccines are being delivered to Viterbo, they are in short supply, and students are encouraged to outsource to locations such as Mayo Clinic, UW-L, Weber health, and local pharmacies. Students who have been vaccinated are asked to fill out a form, also within the email.
From the information collected by these studies, “Researchers from Gundersen Health System, UW-La Crosse and Viterbo University have found that 76% of students surveyed at UW–L and Viterbo this winter planned to get vaccinated when shots become available to their age group.”
The shots are now fully accessible to students, and many Viterbo students are quick on the trigger. Leading this charge, as you could have guessed, are those in Viterbo’s health programs and performing arts programs; many of whom have or are receiving their second shot in the weeks to come. Why the urgency? It’s simple, protection.
According to researchers, “81% think the vaccine will protect them, while 82% think the vaccine will protect others. A total of 78% believe the COVID-19 vaccine will be beneficial toward getting things back to normal.”
The motivation of getting back to ‘normal’ is a strong one. But whether students are motivated by staying safe, protecting others, getting back to normal, or just are tired of writing papers relating to a global pandemic, they are showing up at their registered appointments.
“The overwhelmingly positive response of students’ intentions to get the vaccine suggests that the motivation for many of our students is to protect others,” explained Matthew Bersagel Braley, professor of the Ethics at Viterbo, “We see that college students, like the rest of the population, hold views on the vaccine that are evolving, shaded with ambivalence, and are reflective of the very challenges that have made the vaccine rollout so complicated.”
Though students are showing great interest in getting vaccinated, many of which have already taken steps forward in their plan, researchers and local health facilitators are still interested in making the vaccine more accessible to students. Bersagel Braley, as stated in the press release says, “making the vaccine more convenient on campuses for students to get their shots will be key to building herd immunity among young adults.”
For those in favor of the vaccine, and in seeing the end of this pandemic, this news comes as a beam of hope for our Viterbo community. For those interested in making their own plan, Mayo Clinic urges them to act quickly as their appointments are filling fast. Students who have set up patient online services, of Mayo Clinic, can schedule vaccinations through the portal. You may also call the Mayo vaccine line: 608-392-7400 to schedule an appointment.
