May 11, 2021
COVID-19 reminders as K-Staters prepare to leave campus communities
Submitted by Division of Communications and Marketing
As Kansas State University students, faculty and staff prepare to leave our campus communities at the end of the spring semester, Lafene Health Center offers the following tips and information on the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to help every Wildcat be a Wellcat while embarking on summer plans.
Get vaccinated as soon as possible.
"The best way to fight this pandemic is with vaccines," said Kyle Goerl, medical director for Lafene Health Center. "The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Crisis preparedness at the federal level in addition to prior medical research made it possible for the COVID-19 vaccines to be developed quickly."
Lafene Health Center is offering single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines through Friday, May 21. The vaccines will be offered from Monday through Friday at Lafene Health Center's Allergy and Immunization Clinic. Appointments are required and can be made on the myLafene+ patient portal or by calling Lafene at 785-532-6544.
Vaccines are the key for life to start getting back to somewhat normal again.
"Vaccines are our pathway to getting out of the pandemic and to life looking a lot more normal," Goerl said. "The risks of COVID-19 outweigh the potential side effects of a vaccine."
Goerl also said the sooner individuals are fully vaccinated, the sooner that COVID-19 restrictions can safely be eased and pulled back, including face covering requirements.
The pandemic is not over.
In the United States, COVID-19 cases and deaths are improving and vaccines are widely available, but we should still be vigilant. As viruses replicate, mutations are natural occurrences. These mutations are the cause of the variants that are causing concerns in some areas of the U.S. and around the globe.
"In the United States, Kansas and right here in Manhattan, we have made great strides and are witnesses to encouraging results in the fight against the pandemic," Goerl said. "However, we continue to see countries across the world in dire situations. Please get vaccinated. It gives us the best chance to avoid another wave of the virus."
You can learn more about SARS-CoV-2 variants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Follow guidelines for safe summer travel.
It is important to know how to travel safely and reduce the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19.
Learn more about travel guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.