Dean Guglielmo receives flu shot as UCSF asks for broad vaccination

It’s flu shot season and UCSF doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students once again made sure that School of Pharmacy Dean B. Joseph Guglielmo, PharmD, received his. In what has become an annual tradition, the student-run, interprofessional UCSF Flu Crew gave Guglielmo a quick jab in the arm at the Walgreens pharmacy at the Parnassus Campus and sent him on his way.

Guglielmo opened the event by reading an official proclamation from San Francisco Mayor London Breed naming October 14, 2020 “American Pharmacists Day in San Francisco.” The American Pharmacist Association (APhA) helped organize the event.

During the vaccination, Joe Li, Class of 2021, wore a face shield and Guglielmo wore a face mask. The whole process took barely a minute and will protect Guglielmo from the most-common flu strains through the winter.

Levi Gadye

Joe Li, Class of 2021, administered the shot.

This year has special importance as we battle COVID-19—a bad flu year could push the already stretched health care system over the edge. Avoiding this “twindemic” requires everyone who can to get a flu shot.

Li was joined by Sheila Mohebbi, Class of 2022 and Vice President of Policy at UCSF's branch of the APhA; Luciano Sanchez, also Class of 2022 and president of Flu Crew; and Kimberly Rosario, Class of 2021.

Guglielmo quizzed the students on the two vaccines available this year, one being a more expensive, higher dose vaccine for people 65 and older. That vaccine is reported to have slightly higher incidence of side effects, which can include minor soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever, and aches.

Because the stakes are so high this year, the University of California (UC) is requiring all members of the UC community who live, learn, or work at any UC location to receive an influenza vaccine or an approved exemption by November 1, 2020. UC has also strongly encouraged universal flu vaccines for the entire UC community and their families. For UCSF employees and students, flu shots are available for free through the Occupational Health Program.

For many, like Guglielmo, pharmacies are an easy place to get a flu shot, as they are accessible and often don’t require an appointment.

“Particularly this flu season, it’s critical as many people as possible are vaccinated,” said Guglielmo. “If you have not already done so, I strongly encourage you to get yours in the next few weeks.”