(File photo) The Iowa Memorial Union on the campus of the University of Iowa in Iowa City .
With three weeks to go, the University of Iowa beginning next week will host a series of COVID-19 vaccination clinics on campus for students.
The first clinic scheduled for April 21-22, 9 a.m. at 4 p.m. the Iowa Memorial Union will offer registrants the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which requires two doses spaced three weeks apart, as opposed to the recently paused Johnson & Johnson option which required only one.
UI Student Health will hold a follow-up clinic at the IMU May 13-14 for the second dose. Since final exam week is Wed 10-14, administrators are advising students to “consider their class and final exam schedule” when arranging their second doses, which will happen when they receive the first.
Although vaccinations are free, students who want them must first complete a COVID-19 vaccination survey that will email the student with instructions on how to sign up for a schedule.
"There will be many slots available, so friends should be able to register at the same time and attend together, if they wish," according to a statement from UI on Friday.
Because people must get both doses from the same provider, UI administrators are emphasizing the need for students to check their final exam schedule or book an appointment at Student Health the following week, May 16-21 .
Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa hosted vaccination clinics on campus this week, as did Cornell College in Mount Vernon.
All three Iowa public universities promise a return to more traditional university operations in the fall. Although masks and distancing may still be required, Iowa Board of Regents Chairman Michael Richards announced this week that campuses will not require vaccination or proof of vaccination in the fall.
Grinnell College, on Wednesday, announced that it will. Other private colleges and universities told The Gazette that they are still deciding whether or not to require the vaccine, although they will encourage it.
UI on Friday unveiled its plans to incentivize vaccination by offering students a one-time $ 10 gift card from the Iowa Downtown District to those who present a CDC vaccination card and student ID at the IMU as of Friday.
To receive the gift, students must have received both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or Johnson & Johnson's single-dose option, which has been shown to be effective against COVID-19, despite concerns that it will cause blood clotting. in some patients.
Students who are unable to receive a vaccine for medical or religious reasons are also eligible for a gift card. They will have to visit the Office of the Dean of Students, 135 Iowa Memorial Union, to obtain an exception.
Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.
Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com
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