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Michigan State to provide students COVID-19 vaccinations

April 7, 2021
<p>Journalism junior Maddie Monroe is handed her vaccine card and a sticker after getting the COVID-19 vaccine on March 29, 2021.</p>

Journalism junior Maddie Monroe is handed her vaccine card and a sticker after getting the COVID-19 vaccine on March 29, 2021.

The state of Michigan approved Michigan State University to administer COVID-19 vaccines and will begin the vaccination process Friday, April 9, according to an email sent to students from the university. 

Michigan State will receive and administer doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a single-dose vaccine that is restricted to those who are 18 or older. Vaccinations will be at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education.

“Vaccines transform our ability to deal with COVID-19, but the real challenge has been about access,” said MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D in a University statement. “We are thrilled to now have the ability to provide a safe and effective, single-dose vaccine directly to our student population, who overwhelmingly want to receive one. The more people who get vaccinated, the closer we get to a more typical fall semester.”

The vaccine clinic at the MSU Pavilion's auditorium will be for students only. The goal is to curb the spread of the virus among young adults quickly, the age group most susceptible to spreading COVID-19, with the single-dose shot.

"The largest source of spread of the virus continues to be among those aged 18-29, so they are a top priority, especially as MSU students may be leaving this community soon and going to other areas of the state and country,” said Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail in the University's statement. “Providing a single-dose vaccine means we can get thousands of students vaccinated before the semester ends.”

A recent survey from the National Social Norms Center at MSU that showed more than 80% of MSU undergraduate and graduate students plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to them, according to the release from Michigan State.

Students can begin to sign up for appointments immediately. The vaccine appointments are first-come-first-serve according to the University’s email. Appointments will be added to the website regularly according to the email.

Students will need to arrive at their vaccination appointments 10 to 15 prior and have a student I.D. or another form of identification. 

CATA will be providing free rides for students to the vaccine location if someone needs transportation for their appointment. 

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