TCU nursing students planned to administer about 3,500 flu vaccines to TCU students, faculty and staff in the Campus Recreation Center on Wednesday during the 15th annual flu clinic.

The Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences hosted the student-run clinic for the first time since the pandemic. COVID-19 boosters were also available for participants.

The clinic helps prevent the spread of the flu virus in the community, said Samatha Selman, senior nursing major.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu season is at its peak between December and February. 

“I got my flu shot not only to protect myself, but I also got it to protect others around me,” said Geo Martinez, a senior nursing major and volunteer for the clinic.

Preventative measures are necessary for students who live on college campuses.

“It’s incredibly important,” said Selman. “It is the number one way to prevent a terrible illness from the flu and to protect our community here on campus. We live in such close quarters, we’re constantly around each other on campus and touching surfaces and everything in and out of classes.”

The clinic is traditionally organized by nursing students to help prepare them to be registered nurses. The students are divided into marketing and logistics groups.

“We created flyers as well to reach out to a bunch of different organizations across campus to market, to our students, to our faculty and make sure everyone knew what was happening and knew where to sign up,” said Selman, team lead for marketing. 

Diamond Brown, senior nursing major and team lead for logistics said organizing the clinic involved thinking about everything from the number of tables to the amount of volunteers needed.

At the clinic, participants check in and fill out personal information on forms provided by the Center of Disease Control. Participants are directed to designated tables to receive their vaccines.

There were 24 tables for flu vaccines and two tables for COVID-19 boosters at this year’s clinic. Participants could grab a snack and take a picture on their way out.

Even Super Frog made an appearance, taking pictures and cheering on participants after their vaccination. 

If you missed the clinic, flu vaccines are available at Walgreens and CVS off campus.