AKRON, Ohio — When Gov. Mike DeWine announced college campuses could vaccinate students for COVID-19, the University of Akron sprang into action.

What You Need To Know

  • The University of Akron setup a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in the James A. Rhodes Arena

  • The students will receive the Johnson and Johnson shot so they only need one dose

  • Students must be 18 years and older and registered to take courses to be eligible for the vaccine

"Lot of folks in the logistic end, you know, getting the facilities ready, getting the communications ready, we partnered with Klein's Pharmacy, a local family-owned business," said Eric Green.

Green is the director of environmental and occupational health and safety at the University of Akron. He is one of many who got the clinic operational in a matter of days.

He said it's important to make sure the students have access to the vaccine.

"Some of our students don't have cars. It's a little bit challenging for them to get to some of the community vaccination sites,” Green said. “So we're really happy with the timing to be able to get it to people before they leave town."

Faith Rush is a senior at the University of Akron. She said she's happy to see her school offer the vaccine to students and has a message for any students hesitant to get the shot.

​"What's worse? Getting the shot and having a few side effects or getting COVID and having, you know, even worse side effects and possibly not being around much longer," said Rush.

The university has the ability to vaccinate 1,300 students each clinic, and students will get the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, so they're protected with just one dose.

The students have all received emails with a link to register.