Bendapudi provided senators with current information on the mass COVID-19 vaccination site located in the purple lot of Cardinal Stadium. The 28-lane vaccination location, which estimates a 10-minute wait time for scheduled vaccine recipients, is currently open to anyone from Kentucky over the age of 16. Information on vaccination appointment scheduling at any of the four Louisville area locations can be found through the UofL Health website .

“You should be proud of your university for stepping up and doing this for the community,” Bedapudi said.

Benapudi also responded to senators’ concerns about the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The one-dose vaccine was provided through UofL Health in the beginning of April, but current administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been suspended by the CDC and the FDA pending an investigation into some rare cases of blood clotting. 

“Out of the 6.3 million vaccinations, there were about six people who developed blood clots. It truly is one in a million, but that doesn’t mean it’s trivial. The CDC is putting out information, and we will be sure to share that,” Bendapudi said.

At present, UofL Health is only administering the Pfizer vaccine and will stay informed of the CDC guidelines and recommendations concerning the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Those who receive the vaccine and develop severe headaches, blurred vision, slurred speech, leg swelling or severe abdominal roughly one to two weeks after administration are encouraged to contact their health provider or Campus Health Services. Additional information was shared through a university-wide update on April 14, which can be found .

Jennifer Steier, chair of the Credentials and Nominations Committee for the Staff Senate, shared the results of the committee’s proportion calculations for senate seat distribution among departments. The J.B. Speed School of Engineering, the School of Dentistry, the School of ����ֱ��, the School of Business, the Office of the Executive Vice President of Research and the Office of the President gained one seat; the Office of the Provost gained two seats. The Chief Operating Officer lost two seats, the VP of Health Affairs lost one seat and the School of Medicine lost five seats.

A total of 49 seats will be up for election in 2021, and 50 seats will be vacant in 2022. Applications for Staff Senate are currently closed. Additional information on the Staff Senate voting process will be presented at the May Staff Senate meeting.

The Staff Grievance Committee reported one grievance since the last full Staff Senate meeting. The hearing committee is being led by Barbara Bishop, the committee vice chair, and interviews concerning that matter are currently ongoing.

Committee reports and a of the virtual meeting can be found on the . The next Staff Senate meeting will be held on May 11 via Microsoft Teams.

Some UofL faculty have served on the Mayor’s task force for the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness project. Other faculty and students are helping with check-in and screenings, administering vaccines, assisting with volunteer supervision and training, and observing individuals post-vaccine to ensure they have no adverse reactions.

“I’m helping because I have a commitment to service,” said Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing student Matt Livers. “I believe we have an opportunity to turn the tide on this pandemic and I would much rather be doing something than waiting for something to happen.”

Livers says this experience will help him gain extra experience in giving vaccines, along with serving as a resource for those who have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. Educating the public, he says, is key to community acceptance and willingness to become vaccinated.

This isn’t the first time nursing and other health professions students and faculty have provided help for a drive-thru vaccination clinic in Louisville. In 2009, thousands of doses of the H1N1 “swine” flu vaccine were administered by UofL faculty and students at Cardinal Stadium.

Health professions students and faculty will help staff the COVID-19 vaccination drive-thru event through February, or as long as the city’s health department continues the effort. ­­­The health department’s mass vaccination site is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is offering the Moderna vaccine by appointment only. It is first focused on the Tier 1a group, as mandated by the federal government. Frequently asked questions and answers about the mass vaccination site can be found .