Dozens of students lined up at Essentials in Maucker Union Tuesday to claim their UNI Bookstore gift card reward for getting vaccinated. The line trailed almost to the entrance of the Union. 

The $25 gift card offering began August 30 and is available on weekdays between noon and 4 p.m. through Oct. 15. Students can claim their gift card by presenting their vaccination card and university ID.

While waiting in a fast-moving line, Allison Bernard said she got her second dose of the vaccine in May and feels safe from COVID-19 on campus but insists that precautions need to continue.

“I got vaccinated because I have a lot of family members who are considered high-risk and my mom is going through chemo right now, so it was very important for my family that I got vaccinated,” said the undergraduate from Cedar Rapids. 

Wearing a mask while waiting in line, Brennan Regan said he became fully vaccinated in April because he has asthma, which puts him at higher risk for COVID-19 complications. He was also motivated to get vaccinated for “the betterment of everyone else.” The second-year music education major from Cedar Rapids said continuing to wear a mask on campus makes him feel safe. 

Kelsey Bower got her second dose of the vaccine last April. The second-year public history graduate student from Bouton, Iowa said she got the vaccine to protect her “grandparents, number one, but also my classmates, colleagues and professors.” 

The Student Health Clinic will be offering Covid-19 vaccines throughout the fall 2021 semester from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday afternoons and  from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday mornings. Students can call the COVID-19 phone line at 319-273-2100 to set up an appointment.  Walk-ins are welcome. Students must remain at the clinic for 15-30 minutes after receiving the vaccine to monitor for any unexpected changes in their health or allergic reactions.