On September 23 and 24, Jewel Osco provided an onsite vaccine clinic at ECC to increase healthcare accessibility and promote community outreach. 

Flu season has arrived despite the 80s degree weather. It’s time to get your annual routine vaccination. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to receive this essential vaccine. Some people may have little or no healthcare coverage.  In other cases, many patients are unable to schedule an appointment with their booked up doctor, or they may not have a doctor at all. 

In times like these, one option is to go to the local pharmacy. Appointments are almost always available, and walk-ins are generally welcomed. To make things even easier, many pharmacies offer onsite clinics. Such was the case through September 23-24 when ECC teamed up with the Jewel Osco on 1660 Larkin Avenue in Elgin to provide greater accessibility to the community. 

Pharmacy Manager Sajeel Latiff, Pharmacist Safia Mohammed, and Certified Pharmacy Technician Adaliz Pizano brought the pharmacy to ECC students and faculty from 1-4 p.m. on the clinic dates. During this time, anyone could stop by to get one of the vaccines offered, including: Flu, COVID-19 (Pfizer and Moderna), Tetanus, Pneumonia, RSV, and Shingles (based on eligibility). These are the “most common vaccinations immunized,” Mohammed noted. 

With insurance, 95% of the time there is no out-of-pocket cost. For those without insurance, Osco can provide vaccines at a discounted price (via Goodrx, etc.). The flu shot, for example, estimates at around $45 compared to the $90 cash price according to Latiff.

The Jewel Osco pharmacy team was present and ready to provide many crucial vaccines to any and all who need them. Don’t know what vaccine to get—no problem. The pharmacists will work with every patient to ensure they receive the proper vaccine and dose. The ECC community could walk-in or schedule an appointment with the information sheets posted around campus. 

On Sept. 23, 48 vaccines were administered per Mohammed and Pizano—”averaging 50+ shots” per event. ECC’s community has over 10,000 members as stated on their website. It may have been difficult for participants to find online access to the current clinic information buried under previous advertisements. Others may just have been nervous to get the shots. One patient shared how awful they were at receiving shots. They mentioned how the smell from the alcohol wipe would cause their heart to race as it meant they were going “to get stabbed soon.”

While Mohammed finds promotional success travels best through word of mouth and social media, there still may be many community members unaware of this event. This was not the first time Latiff and Mohammed led a clinic at ECC. ECC has worked with Osco before. In fact, Latiff had mentioned he and his team were in the same exact room, Building A, Room A161, at last year’s clinics. 

To that Mohammed said, “Spread the word! Tell your friends and family. Once you’re here, you’ll want to stay”! 

She meant that last sentence literally. Mohammed began her career as a pharmacist in 1998 working for the Osco on Larkin Avenue. She has stayed and continues to stay working for Osco for almost three decades. Over the years, she’s developed a strong kinship with her team and a first-name basis with many patients. The veteran team is more than willing to answer patient questions about vaccine options and eligibility. One patient, for example, during the clinic came in to get the flu vaccine, but after a consultation with Latiff, she opted for receiving the flu and COVID vaccine.

Latiff, Mohammed, and Pizano all stated this was a “way to give back to the community.” Both pharmacists actively participated at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially putting their own healths at risk. Yet they continue to conduct clinics. They are all trying to do the most good possible. A lack of awareness can hinder their efforts. During flu season, pharmacy team members heavily promote immunizations. The pharmacists will direct their technicians to start every conversation with “Are you here for a vaccine appointment?”—or some variation of this. 

During cold and flu season, they can be found at their Larkin location or at local onsite clinics offering valuable vaccination opportunities to the community. Keep an eye out for the next clinic and spread the word. Or encourage those who need assistance to visit their local pharmacy and find out the options available. Communication and knowledge will help those in need and offer options to improve health and wellbeing.