When Bulldogs think of Family Weekend, they likely think of sunshine, tailgates and quality time. From Sept. 24-26, Samford University hosted Family Weekend 2021 where families from all over the country came to visit their loved ones on campus.
After a day on the quad enjoying snacks and community, tailgaters headed over to the newly renamed Bobby Bowden Stadium to cheer on the Samford Bulldogs. Just outside the football stadium gates, Samford helped host a Kick COVID vaccination clinic. While thousands of Samford Bulldogs and their family members waited in line to attend the football game, the campaign encouraged fans to get vaccinated.
According to a COVID-19 Update sent by the university, Kick COVID is a statewide program created by the Alabama Department of Public Health that offers free COVID-19 vaccinations during select football game days across the state.
The Samford community could opt to receive a free Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and in turn receive a $75 gift card to the Samford Shop. Booster shots were also available to those who were eligible based on updated CDC guidance.
Students who spoke with the Crimson said they were excited to get vaccinated. Even students who had been previously vaccinated said they were ecstatic at seeing this campaign take place on their campus.
“It makes me even more hopeful that we will be able to continue normal classes”, junior Wheaton Bailey said.
Bailey was vaccinated this past spring at Samford’s previous COVID-19 vaccine clinic held in Seibert Gym.
The vaccine clinic drew not only the attention of the Samford community, but also that of local news stations such as CBS42 and the Alabama News Network.
The Kick COVID vaccine clinic will return on Saturday, Oct. 16 to administer the second dosage of the COVID-19 vaccines.
According to the university Dashboard, Samford has seen an average of 1 positive COVID-19 case per day in the last seven days.
In several messages to the Samford community, the university “continues to strongly encourage vaccination against COVID-19. The university’s position is based on medical evidence and commensurate recommendations by international, national, state and local health organizations.”
Those who were unable to attend the vaccine clinic can still receive a vaccine on campus. Moderna vaccinations are also available daily Monday through Friday from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. at the Samford Clinic by appointment only.
Staff Writer
