MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala — Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) has teamed up with Helen Keller Hospital to help provide vaccines to local residents ages 75 and older.
On Monday, the two held a vaccine clinic on the NW-SCC Shoals campus for those in the age range.
“We are excited to partner with Helen Keller Hospital to aid in the process of vaccinating our community,” said NW-SCC President Dr. Glenda Colagross. “Our hospitals and healthcare workers do so much to help keep us safe. We are so glad that we can play a small part in facilitating the vaccine distribution.”
Nursing students at the college were able to receive the vaccine at Hellen Keller Hospital's Well Care Center on January 14. Some of these students helped hospital staff vaccinate approximately 250 people on Monday, January 18.
“Situations like these are why you choose to become a nurse,” NW-SCC Nursing Director Brittney Humphres said. “We know our community is suffering from this pandemic, and assisting with this clinic allows our students to contribute toward making a positive difference for some folks who are in the high-risk category.”
Helen Keller plans to schedule more vaccine clinics in the coming weeks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a plethora of information on how to protect yourself and other from the coronavirus.
The virus can easily spread from person to person, so the CDC recommends you stay at least 6-feet apart from people not in your household. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breaths or talks, according to the CDC. Because of this, the CDC recommends you wear a cloth facemask when around others and in public.
Additionally, the CDC recommends that you frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Symptoms to look out for include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, a sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the CDC.
If you suspect you have the coronavirus, you should seek out testing and self-quarantine.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the Alabama Department of Public Health.