Gardner-Webb and Cleveland County Public Health Center Provide Campus Vaccine Clinic

Students, Faculty and Staff Eligible for Free COVID-19 Vaccine

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University and the Cleveland County Public Health Center in Shelby, N.C., are collaborating to provide a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on campus in the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. The first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine will be available on April 7 to University students, faculty and staff in time slots between 2 and 5 p.m. A second dose is required in three weeks. Participants will automatically be scheduled in the same location and same time slot to receive their second dose on April 30. In addition, vaccine appointments will be available to members of the community until 2 p.m. on both days.

“We’re so very grateful to our friends and partners in Cleveland County for working with us to make this clinic possible,” expressed GWU President Dr. William M. Downs. “For us to truly turn the corner on COVID and to get back to life as we remember it, we must administer the vaccine to the full breadth of our campus community. Gardner-Webb will be that much safer and that much healthier because of the clinics now slated for April 7 and 30.”

The vaccine clinic is free of charge for students, faculty and staff, and the community.

DeShay D. Oliver, deputy health director, said the Cleveland County Public Health Center staff is excited to offer college students and others convenient access to the COVID-19 vaccine. “Because many college students live in close group or congregate living settings such as dorms and apartments, they are at an increased risk of exposure to the virus,” she noted. “Many college students also face barriers such as transportation to accessing the vaccine in traditional healthcare and vaccine clinic settings. We want to ensure that college students, as well as employees and other community members, are able to access the vaccine in a way that is convenient for them. We are extremely thankful for Gardner-Webb’s willingness to support these efforts to deliver the COVID vaccine in an effective and efficient manner.”

Community members may schedule an appointment by calling the Cleveland County Public Health Center’s COVID Vaccine Appointment Line at 980-484-6019 on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Center is currently scheduling first dose Pfizer appointments for the April 7 clinic at GWU for time slots between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

For general information about future local vaccine clinic opportunities, check out the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website. Gardner-Webb students, faculty and staff interested in learning more about the April 7 event should contact Barry Lane at [email protected].

Located in the North Carolina foothills, Gardner-Webb University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. Gardner-Webb emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.