WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — Purdue is taking a giant leap in the fight against COVID-19. The university has opened its vaccination clinic for students.
"Today feels like a huge victory for Purdue," said Purdue Junior Eeman Khan.
Tuesday marked the first day for Purdue's COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
"To have the COVID-19 vaccine is like a burden lifted off my shoulders," said Purdue Senior Ross Klink.
Khan and Klink were some of the first Boilermakers to get their shot.
"I feel euphoric and a lot less anxious about the possibility of getting COVID or spreading it to the people around me who are a lot more vulnerable," said Khan.
The university partnered with the Indiana State Department of Health to open the clinic. The goal is to vaccinate 3,500 students a day from April 6 until May 17.
"It's another way we can protect Purdue, protect the community and protect our population here on campus," said Purdue Vaccine Allocation Task Force Chair Willie Reed.
All students are eligible regardless of residency. After registering online, students go to the France A. Cordova Recreational Center and line up for their turn.
Once they get their Pfizer vaccine, they are registered for the second dose.
"It's really kind of our duty as students, who are living amongst so many other people, to get vaccinated and protect our community from COVID," said Khan.
The clinic is open seven days a week and can be used by any student for free. Klink said it was a small effort that makes a big impact.
"It's not to help you," Klink said. "It's to help everyone else around campus and it's to make us safer and you to be safer. It's super easy. Just do it."
Khan said she's grateful for the opportunity.
"The kind of ambition with which they are getting students vaccinated is really admirable and makes me really proud to be a Boilermaker," said Khan.
Students who aren't able to get their second shot will still be able to schedule it in their hometowns.
For more information on the clinic, click here.
