Pharmacy Students Offer Flu Immunizations during Day of Services

The Wegmans School of Pharmacy at St. John Fisher College was among one of nearly 100 booths at the Project Homeless Connect “Day of Services” event held at the Blue Cross Arena earlier this month.

The Day of Services brings together community organizations and government agencies from across Rochester to provide health care, legal advice, social services, and food to individuals experiencing homelessness. The Wegmans School of Pharmacy, in partnership with Wegmans Food Markets, provided more than 50 influenza vaccines to attendees. Wegmans donated all of the supplies and vaccines for the clinic, while School of Pharmacy faculty and students, many of whom intern at Wegmans pharmacies, administered the immunizations.

Dr. Joy Snyder, a public health pharmacy fellow in the School of Pharmacy, along with current students and faculty, coordinated Fisher’s involvement in the event.

“I thought it would be a great way to partner with Wegmans as they have a mission to serve the City of Rochester,” Snyder said, noting that the students were able to administer the immunizations thanks to recently passed legislation that expanded the scope (?) of interns. “I think this experience enhanced their education in working with a population that they might not interact with through their internships.  I think they enjoyed seeing all of the services that were offered and working with the attendees of the event.”

In addition to providing the immunizations and informational guides on advoiding the flu, Snyder said the team administered voluntary surveys to attendees to better understand their vaccination needs.