By Kiersten Hacker
After receiving a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines, UMD announced that all students, faculty and staff can register for an on-campus vaccination appointment in an email from Health Center Director Spyridon Marinopoulos on April 8.
The email explained that appointments can be made through the University Health Center portal and are filled on a first-come first-serve basis due to the limited supply provided by Prince George’s County. Once appointments are made, students, faculty and staff will receive their shots in the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center.
UMD officials first began offering the vaccine two weeks ago to frontline staff members who had barriers to getting vaccinated but, after receiving an additional supply, vaccination appointments were opened to the greater campus community.
Freshman journalism student Andrew Poore said he had been searching for different ways he could receive the vaccine and was excited when the university began offering it to students, even though they are not required to be vaccinated to return to campus.
“Especially with Maryland doing their phased vaccinations, and they just opened it up to people over 16 [years old], it’s a really convenient way for people to get it,” he said.
Poore said he has a close relationship with his grandparents, but they do not feel comfortable seeing him until he is vaccinated, so he jumped at the chance to finally get his first dose on campus. Since his birthday falls within a month, Poore said he is excited to be able to see his grandparents, mom and uncle since they will all be fully vaccinated for the celebration.
He received his first shot on Wednesday and said, “When I got my shot, it was the easiest shot that I think I’ve ever gotten. I looked away and then I looked back and was like, ‘You’re already done?’” Overall, Poore said he was impressed with the organization of the university’s vaccination process.
The process was similar for sophomore chemistry student Stella Zodet, who said, “Honestly I think the process was easier than getting tested at Stamp [Student Union].”
She said once she was in the Riggs Center and her barcode from the health center portal was scanned, she was directed through different checkpoints until she sat at a nurse’s open station. All stations and seating were spaced apart. The nurse scanned her barcode again and checked her release forms, then cleaned her arm and administered the shot. Then, Zodet waited in the socially distanced waiting area for a 15-minute observation period before leaving.
Zodet said she is also excited to be able to see her grandparents and other family members who will also be fully vaccinated.
“I didn’t get my hopes up that I would get a slot for the vaccine so when I ended up getting an appointment I was very excited,” Zodet said. “I told the nurse before I got my shot yesterday, ‘I’m so happy right now–’ I was just, like, radiating joy.”
The April 8 email also included more information about other vaccination options and said that the university encourages all students to get vaccinated. While there are other vaccine providers, it can be difficult for students to find transportation or time for appointments when balancing busy schedules.
Many colleges and universities have decided to mandate vaccinations in order for students to be able to return to campus for fall 2021. However, the University System of Maryland has yet to approve a vaccine mandate.
Both Zodet and Poore said that UMD should require students to get vaccinated before returning to campus for the fall 2021 semester to create a safer environment.
“If they require a vaccine it’d be so much more convenient to get everyone in classrooms and get back to in-person instruction and all that,” Poore said.
Though the current semester will come to a close in four weeks, Zodet, Poore and Ethan Tievy, a freshman fire protection engineering student, said that UMD should continue offering the vaccine.
“I think that UMD should continue offering the vaccine and possibly open it up to members of the surrounding College Park community,” said Tievy.
As more people, specifically students, receive their vaccinations and continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines, there is hope that there may be a light at the end of the tunnel and normal life may finally return for the upcoming academic year.
Continued vaccination efforts and the following of county guidelines have helped Poore maintain a positive outlook, especially for outdoor events in the fall of 2021. Both Poore and Tievy said they are hopeful for the possibility of lifted restrictions and a more typical college experience.
Zodet shared similar sentiments, saying she is hopeful about the possible return to a sense of normality and in-person instruction. She is the president of the UMD figure-skating club and said she hopes her club will be able to practice again and attend competitions next fall since off-campus activities have been restricted for club sports.
Currently, Zodet has one in-person lab and said it is her favorite day of the week, just because she can see and interact with other people.
“As a student, I am absolutely excited to be in classes with my classmates again,” Zodet said.
Featured photo: The Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center is the vaccination site for individuals registered to receive their doses at UMD. Kiersten Hacker/Stories Beneath the Shell.