University of St. Francis nursing students help with vaccine effort in Joliet

Nursing students from the University of St. Francis have been helping with the effort to vaccinate locals for COVID-19.

Students and staff from the USF Leach College of Nursing partnered with Kodo Pharmacy in Joliet to administer vaccine doses, according to a news release.

“As most of us are aware, the task of administering the COVID-19 vaccine to the community is monumental,” Phyllis Peterson of the USF Wellness Center, said in the release.

Peterson added that the nursing college staff reached out to the Wellness Center about making contact with Kodo Pharmacy. They worked to secure vaccines through the Will County Health Department, which has acted as the middle agency between the state and providers.

After receiving their own vaccines for protection, the USF team helped administer shots to residents at the Joshua Arms Senior High Rise and Trinity Services. They also got to clients at Cornerstone Services and county heath department clinic.

In three days, USF nursing students administered more than 1,600 vaccines.

The students also provided testing for COVID-19 for approximately 200 residents, according to the release.

Chad Kodiak, the owner and pharmacist at Kodo Pharmacy, said he was “so thankful” for the help from USF staff and students.

“They have been unbelievable and completely professional,” Kodiak said in the release. “It is no exaggeration to say the COVID vaccines that have been administered in Will County would not have been possible without the help of the USF nursing students.”