CARBONDALE, Ill. (WSIL) -- Salukis and their families have the chance to wrap up the semester by taking on COVID-19.
SIU and the Jackson County Health Department have teamed up for .
Anyone can come to the Banterra Center to get vaccinated before or during SIU's graduation ceremonies on Friday and Saturday. No appointment is necessary.
Health Department Administrator Bart Hagston says the demand for vaccines has slowed so it is important for local health leaders to find new ways to get COVID-19 vaccines into people's arms.
"I think as long as we keep the wheels turning and keep forward progress--keep people coming in slowly, but surely--that is going to help."
Operation Graduation Vaccination runs from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.Friday and Saturday at the Banterra Center.
Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Vaccines will be available.
VACCINE HESITANCY REMAINS A GROWING CONCERN
As demand for shots shrink locally local health experts are trying to come up with new ways to convince people to get a shot.
Hagston says those who've already been vaccinated can play a big role with hesitant friends and family.
"Talk to them about your positive experience getting vaccinated. How easy it was. How few the side effects were. The more they hear that from people they know and trust---the more likely people are to change their mind."
Hagston says people are most willing to listen to their physicians and other doctors. More providers will soon be able to administer shots locally.
WORKING TO CONNECT WITH THE PUBLIC
Hagston knows 100 percent of the population won't get vaccinated.
But he hopes many minds can be changed--it will just take some work.
"Everybody I think has some button that needs pushed to help get them vaccinated. Whether it is wanting to see their grandkids again or to travel or to be able to attend an event. So, I think figuring out what messaging is going to work for each individual person and it's going to take a lot of trial and error."
