Fostering Individual Responsibility for Infection Prevention to Reopen Campus | Yuko Takeda, Dean, Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care
June 29, 2021
On June 21, 2021, one month before the opening of the Olympic Games, Keio University began its workplace vaccination program for the novel coronavirus. Preparations were made in a short period of time following the launch of the new leadership team of the Juku, based on the fundamental policy of "restoring a place where Keio students, faculty, and staff can spend their daily lives with peace of mind and find meaning in learning and working at Keio University." The mobility based on our past experience at the university hospital was demonstrated, and in response, not only faculty and staff but also many alumni came together to contribute.
At the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care, practical training in hospitals, facilities, and community settings is a required part of the curriculum, so student vaccination is an urgent issue to ensure this training can be conducted safely. We have been exploring various possibilities to make this happen. This is a common problem for nursing education institutions nationwide, and a formal request has been submitted by related organizations . Amidst this situation, the university's workplace vaccination program was planned, opening up a path for student vaccinations.
Believing that the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care could also contribute by leveraging its expertise, we put out a call for cooperation, and many faculty members and graduate students with medical qualifications volunteered to help with the vaccinations. In addition, faculty members without medical backgrounds also utilized their own expertise to create models for practicing injection techniques. It was both reassuring and heartening to see everyone's willingness to immediately do what they could from their respective positions.
As the one who called for cooperation, I wanted to contribute in any small way I could, so I participated in the activities at the vaccination site on a Saturday that did not conflict with my academic duties. Thirty minutes before the start time, about 30 people were already lined up on the stairs of the South School Building, waiting to be vaccinated.
The vaccinators consisted of 16 nurses and doctors, two of whom were faculty members from the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care, and many were members of the Kobai-kai (the nursing alumni association) with work experience at the university hospital. After a brief explanation, we split into two rooms and began vaccinations immediately. In four hours, I believe we vaccinated over 100 people. Trays were prepared with 10 syringes filled with the vaccine, and these trays were replenished as we progressed. A doctor who was there to help likened the situation to "wanko soba."
At the site, I saw some familiar faces of undergraduate students, faculty, and staff. Reactions varied, from students who tensed up nervously to those who watched intently, curious to witness the moment of injection. Many commented, "Is it over already?" or "That was quick." Some even said, "I didn't feel a thing." On the other hand, some students said, "It hurt more than I expected." It seems that the wide range of information and feelings people had coming into this vaccination also influenced their emotions and how they perceived the experience.
One week has passed since we began with the goal of vaccinating 50,000 people. While achieving herd immunity early through vaccination will certainly be a powerful tool, the most important thing remains what was stated in our policy: to foster each individual's autonomous awareness for preventing infection.
I sincerely hope for the day we can bring back a safe and secure campus life.