By: Ryn Williams, Social Media Manager
Check your emails, Lions, because Saint Leo University is going to be serving as the East Pasco County distribution location for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
Residential students on University Campus also received an email instructing them to move their cars away from the upper level of the parking garage before 11:59 Jan. 12, 2021. Students were warned that cars may be towed if they are not moved. There is signage posted around the campus to indicate that the parking garage will be used for the Moderna vaccine distribution.
“The Department of Health (DOH) will be using Lot 13 (behind the softball field) and the upper level of the parking garage. Those two parking areas will be closed. We do not anticipate any impact to students given that our on-campus population is lower than usual due to COVID.” Dr. Melanie Storms, a member of the COVID-19 Response Team for Saint Leo University said, “The reduction in our in-residence population made closing this parking possible.”
Currently, the first round of vaccines will only be available to Florida residents over the age of 65. The vaccine consists of an original dose, and a follow-up booster dose 28 days later. Residents who are given the vaccine must remain in the area for the duration of those 28 days.
Saint Leo employees who qualify will be able to receive the vaccine before the public during the first week of the spring semester. These employees will be sent an invitation and will need to complete a sign-up process. The vaccine will be free.
Eventually, there will be opportunities for all members of faculty, staff, and students to get the COVID-19 vaccine when Fla. Governor DeSantis expands eligibility criteria. Until then, both Saint Leo and the Department of Health are unable to declare an official date when the COVID-19 vaccine will be available.
When asked whether or not students will require a vaccine before returning to campus life, Dr. Storms stated, “Vaccination will be voluntary at this time; however, we strongly encourage all community members to get vaccinated.”
Many of Pasco’s residents have grown frustrated with the way the vaccine distribution has been handled. Pfizer, another producer of the COVID-19 vaccination and a competitor of Moderna, released a statement claiming they have not received shipment instructions from Florida and have “millions more doses sitting in [their]warehouse.”
Unlike the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna vaccine does not require ultra-cold storage.
The Moderna vaccine itself is manufactured by a company that pioneers what they refer to as mRNA medicines, and does not contain eggs, preservatives, or latex like many other vaccines. In fact, most sensitivity to vaccines comes from a sensitivity to eggs or latex. However, it is best to discuss possible vaccines with your doctor if you were previously told you are not recommended for vaccinations.
There are some common side effects of the Moderna vaccine listed on the CDC’s website. These include pain, swelling, and redness in the arm where the shot was administered, as well as headaches, chills, and tiredness in the rest of the body.
It is important to note that these side effects usually begin a day after getting the vaccine and should go away after a few days. In clinical trials, the side effects were actually more common after the second dose of the vaccine.
The CDC cited evidence from these clinical trials to declare that the Moderna vaccine is 94.1% effective in preventing COVID-19 illness in those with both shots and no history of a previous infection.
To be vaccinated, individuals who qualify must register through the Department of Health’s website, pasco.floridahealth.gov. Floridians who would like to opt-in for COVID-19 vaccination updates via text message should text FLCOVID19 to 888777.
Saint Leo has a history of supporting the local community and is now proud to serve our county’s Department of Health. The university urges students, staff, and faculty to be mindful of and welcoming to guests who will be visiting on distribution dates, and to always exemplify Saint Leo’s core values.
