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U arms staff to take a shot at vaccination record
U will go for the record -- in flu shots
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When it comes to getting flu shots, Minnesotans are always above average. But next week, the University of Minnesota is going for a world record.
It will attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the most flu shots given in a single day.
The number to beat: 3,271.
To make history, the university will offer free flu shots to students and employees at four locations on the Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday.
University officials admit that it's a bit of a gimmick. "We were trying to figure out a way to increase the number of people getting flu shots," said David Golden, public health director at the university's Boynton Health Service. When Golden's boss wondered about the world record, the idea was born.
Guinness says the current record was set on Nov. 9, 2006, by Florida Hospital Centra Care of Sanford, Fla. Golden doesn't think that will be tough to beat. Last fall, the university gave as many as 3,000 shots a day. This time, he's expecting 6,000 to 10,000. With backup supplies, he figures they could handle up to 20,000.
The university is mobilizing its medical reserve corps -- doctors, nurses and other volunteers who typically respond to natural disasters. They'll join with staff from the Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency and Boynton to provide the shots.
It costs about $300 to register with Guinness. When it's all over, the U just has to send in the paperwork.
"I really think we're going to beat it," said Golden. "And I'm hoping that the record only lasts a year. I hope that somebody else is out there trying to take it down next year."
More information is available on the Boynton website, www.bhs.umn.edu
MAURA LERNER
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