Fort Valley State University is doing its part to get back to normal! The university is close to vaccinating 100 people in its fight to combat COVID-19. See the full story in a release from FVSU below!

Credit: Raleigh News & Observer

Fort Valley State University (FVSU) in coordination with Macon Occupational Medicine, the agency managing the school’s on-campus Wellness Centers started administering COVID-19 vaccinations to faculty, staff, and students on Friday, March 19, 2021. To date, the university has administered more than 80 vaccinations provided exclusively to its campus community
for eligible recipients who choose to receive it.

Last month, the Georgia Department of Public Health approved FVSU as a closed point of dispensing meaning that vaccinations can be provided to its students, faculty and staff only. The university recently received its first shipment of the Pfizer vaccine and began administering shots within days based on appointments made by members of the campus community.

Richard Riley, the emergency management coordinator for FVSU, said campus health officials began administering the first doses to employees and students who qualify under the current 1A vaccination phase at the Hunt Student Wellness Center. The 1A distribution plan for the State of Georgia includes individuals 55 and older as well as individuals as young as 16 with certain medical conditions. Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine currently approved for children aged 16 and up.

Credit: HBCU Lifestyle

“In keeping with our commitment to protect the health, safety, and well-belling of our students and employees, we are excited to provide convenient access to the COVID-19 vaccine to members of our campus community should they choose to receive it,” said Dr. Paul Jones, FVSU president.

FVSU on-campus vaccinations are currently being administered on Mondays and Fridays of each week. Campus health officials are still recommending that individuals exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms be tested – even for those undergoing vaccination. They also recommend continuing to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance that includes wearing masks, social distancing, and diligent handwashing to prevent spread.