The University of New Mexico Student Health and Counseling is offering its annual Take One for Raymond flu shot clinic on Oct. 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Building Atrium. Flu shots are free and for anyone who is 18 years or older.
SHAC's Take One for Raymond flu shot event is in memory of UNM student Raymond Plotkin, who passed away from the H1N1 virus in 2009. The initiative was established by Plotkin's parents to encourage everyone to get their seasonal flu shots. His parents also created a scholarship program in his memory.
Ignacio Cordova, an outreach health assistant at SHAC, said, “The clinic drive is to make sure that we get as many people as possible to get flu shots because it is very important as this is a very infectious disease that needs to be taken care (of) during the bad season.”
The flu shots clinic has been designed to prevent people from catching the flu. Raymond’s parents have been helping at the clinic every year since its establishment in 2013.
Leah Adent, a student employee at SHAC and a field experience student in the Health Education Program, said, “It’s important for everyone not to protect only themselves, but to protect those who can’t protect themselves like elderly people and infants who have low immune systems, and also those students who have some chronic disease and as a result of having low immune systems.”
The clinic will also provide free kits that come with a mask, a hand sanitizer, a thermometer and information sheets. SHAC also offers information sessions that educate students about flu shots.
Tasawar Shah is the news reporter at the Daily Lobo. He can be contacted at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @tashah_80.
