Moderna vaccine being prepared by Rite Aid staff member at the pop-up clinic. Feb. 16. Photo by Brandon Ramos.

By Brandon Ramos, Staff Writer.

Anthony Escobar had a 10:30 a.m. appointment for his booster shot at his new university. As a freshman that had never been on campus, he was relieved to see how simple it was to get vaccinated. “I just got the email about the clinic and decided to make my appointment,” Escobar said. Despite the long line he quickly went through and got his shot. “Although I am getting my shot at school and not a medical facility I still trust the clinic.”

Anthony’s booster shot comes at a time when CSUDH has decided to lift the outdoor mask mandate. In an email sent to the campus community on Feb. 21, president Parham announced a change in the mask policy. “Effective March 1, face coverings will no longer be required in outdoor areas of the CSUDH campus.” Face coverings will still be required inside campus buildings unless eating or drinking.

Hundreds of members of the CSUDH community had the opportunity to receive their COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 16. CSUDH in partnership with Rite Aid held its fifth COVID-19 vaccination clinic. The clinic’s objective is to have the entire campus community fully vaccinated by the CSUDH deadline on Feb. 28. This deadline was set by the CSU system in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. CSUDH is requiring all staff and students to self-certify their vaccination status, including the booster, to access campus facilities. As of Feb. 18, the CSUDH reported 92% of students and 94% of staff as self-certified vaccinated. 

The clinic offered all the current vaccines available and FDA approved. First doses, second doses, and boosters from Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. 

Yevgeny Medalle, a graduate student at CSU Dominguez Hills feels safer with his three doses. “With everyone getting vaccinated it shows we’re moving forward,” said Medalle. “It makes me feel more confident to be on campus knowing my peers are vaccinated.” 

The clinic gave students, faculty, and any local residents of the Toro community the chance to get vaccinated. Anyone in the surrounding areas could walk-in and get the COVID-19 shots.  The clinic opened from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and many were surprised by how quickly the line advanced. 

“We’ve gotten about 600 people vaccinated with our other four clinics, and there are 330 scheduled appointments as of this morning,” said Nora Garcia, Emergency Preparedness Manager for the university.

Individuals receiving a vaccine were entered in a raffle with a chance to win a $50 gift card. Appointments were encouraged but not necessary. With the return to in-person instruction on Feb.14, a large influx of student population could cause the cases of COVID-19 to rise, and being fully vaccinated is an effective safety measure.

As of Feb. 23, CSUDH reports 230 accumulated cases of COVID-19 since March 2020. Ten of these on-campus cases occurred during the week of Feb. 13.