On October 2, Keene State held a flu & COVID-19 vaccine clinic with Shaw’s Pharmacy in the Madison Street Lounge.
Pharmacy staff accepted people with appointments and walk-ins, giving them the opportunity to get flu and COVID-19 shots. People could have the chance to get a flu shot, a COVID-19 shot or both.
At the front of the clinic checking people in and giving out paperwork for community members was pharmacy technician Holly Grugnale-Nakoma, who spoke about her hopes for vaccinations in the community.
“I just hope everybody wants to be healthy and wants to get their vaccines,” said Grugnale-Nakoma. “And knowing that getting them helps them keep healthy.”
Two little rooms were made for patients to get their shots, and inside of those rooms were pharmacy tech Anthony Martino and pharmacist Lauren West. These two were distributing shots from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the lounge.
“It helps to promote wellness across campus,” said Martino. “Whenever you give flu shots in a group setting like this, it prevents the spread, but it also herds for immunity.”
“We like to go out to places. We’ll go out to any businesses though, but I think it’s important to provide people with the opportunity to get their vaccines if they want to get it,” saidWest. “Now that you guys are in college, you’re becoming adults, and so it’s now time that you can make your own health decisions for the future. So if you want to come out and get your shot, you should be able to do that.”
Getting her shots done was sophomore McKenzie Moss, who spoke about the importance of getting flu and COVID-19 shots on campus.
“Definitely do them. It’s free,” Moss said. ”All you have to do is sign up. You can literally just walk in, and there’s no downside to it.”
Noelle Hisgen can be reached at
