Over 600 Arkansas State University faculty and staff have received COVID-19 vaccines. A partnership between the university and area pharmacies made the shots possible. During a mass vaccination clinic Tuesday at the First National Bank Arena on the campus, I talked to employees about how they felt after receiving the vaccine. Associate Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics Dr. Anne Grippo says she was overjoyed when she learned she would be able to get the vaccine. As a scientist, Grippo says she was fascinated with the way this vaccine was developed.
“This is a really cool, new type of vaccine that has been developed through a new platform that will be used in the future,” says Grippo. “This vaccine is just a piece of nucleic acid rather than a whole virus that has been killed, so it is a new way to get our bodies to respond and get our immune systems back up with less danger and less side effects.”
Director of Affinity Relations for the A-State Alumni Association Amanda McDaniel gives her reaction to the vaccination clinic.
“I was actually on a waiting list with a local pharmacy and they were unable to get it so far, so this is exciting,” says McDaniel. She also says she has a personal connection for being vaccinated.
“My mother is in a long-term care facility in Little Rock and I have not gotten to see her, hug her, or kiss her in a year, and this brings me closer to that time.”
Emergency Manager and Safety Officer at Arkansas State University Jon Carvell talks about what it means to see people vaccinated:
“This is a huge day for A-State,” says Carvell. “We are seeing our co-workers and our colleagues go through the line and everyone is just as happy as I have seen them in a year, it’s great.”
He reminds everyone that just because the vaccine is becoming available, the public should not let its guard down and should remain vigilant with wearing masks, washing hands, and watching distances between people.
