“Our goal in September is to come back to an 80% vaccination rate. We want herd immunity,” said Gary MacNamara, executive director of public safety and government affairs.
On March 19, the Coronavirus Planning Team sent out an email to all Sacred Heart University members with not only information on the school’s progress, but with more news about the new vaccination site located at West Campus.
In the email, there was a brief survey about providing the vaccine to undergraduate students. The results of the survey showed that over 80% of students want to get vaccinated.
“The response to that survey was overwhelming. We had over a thousand people respond, which in the survey world is incredible,” said Micheal Iannazzi, co-chair and chief of staff.
Because Sacred Heart plans to eliminate the SHU-Flex program in fall 2021, the goal is to get as many students vaccinated as possible to control the spread of the virus.
“We are urging students that when it [the vaccine] becomes available, to get vaccinated. We know that reaching a high percentage of those vaccinated will bring us back toward a more normal experience on campus and will make the campus safer,” said MacNamara.
In March of 2020, Sacred Heart was in full lockdown. This semester so far, the university has been able to stay open without reaching above 50 positive cases. The school has worked overtime, continuing to test students each week and follow other safety precautions.
With the progress Sacred Heart is making, the state is more likely to grant the university access to vaccines for students.
“We can use all of our survey information, stats and research to lobby the state to give us enough vaccines,” said Iannazzi.
However, everything is a work in progress as Sacred Heart staff and the Coronavirus Planning Team update information following the CDC and state guidelines.
“All this stuff is in motion, anything COVID-related is a work in progress and can change by the day,” said Iannazzi.
The idea of a normal college experience could be getting closer as more people get vaccinated and more resources are on the way.
“I feel as though with the school mega vaccination site having the option to get undergraduate students vaccinated, every student should run, not walk, to get the shot,” said sophomore Valeska Contreras. “I, myself, am vaccinated and just having the sense of more protection is the greatest feeling.” The vaccination site at West Campus is open on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. If eligible, you can book your appointment today through Hartford Healthcare
