Teachers in Chesterfield County were vaccinated for Covid-19 on March 4th , successfully vaccinating a majority of the teachers and faculty. The vaccinations were organized by Nick Oyler, Coordinator for Student Health Services of Chesterfield County. There were several vaccination clinics set up across the county. 

“Each individual school sent out an email to the teachers asking if they were interested,” said Ms. Laser, School Nurse for Manchester High School, “And then they had a sign up sheet knowing if the vaccine was coming to their school, and the teachers were able to sign up if they were interested.”

         Getting the shot was very similar to receiving a flu shot. Participants went into the clinic, which was established in the auditorium, signed some paperwork, had their health backgrounds checked, received the shot, and then monitored by nurses for 15-30 minutes. After that, they went back to their class to continue teaching.     

“The biggest worry is that they would have a allergic reaction,” Ms. Laser explained, “However there is something called a vaccine adverse reaction which can lead to many different effects ranging from the normal side effects you would expect, all the way to a stroke or triggering something in a pre-existing medical condition.” 

Not every teacher received the vaccine as they were able to choose not to get it. While there are concerns about reactions and side effects, the known side-effects are generally less severe than the symptoms of Covid-19. Teachers were given the potential side-effects that could be caused by the vaccines, and decided for themselves whether or not they should get it.

Many teachers are pleased to have the vaccine and help fight the pandemic.  English teacher Ms.Dolle said “I am incredibly happy I got the vaccine. It was very scary to be in the school building in November because disease spreads through schools very easily.”  Student Teacher Ms.Mullis said “I feel like I lucked out getting the vaccine very young because I am so young that I would not have gotten the vaccine if I was not a student teacher.” 

Some teachers and students believe that while the vaccines are a step toward making school safer, it is too early for the community to let their guard down just yet.  English teacher Mrs. Perrote, who received the vaccine, said “I feel a certain level of protection, but we shouldn’t open the floodgates.” Freshman Gavin Thomas said, “I feel safer to go back, and I am not surprised teachers were given vaccines, due to their job of being around kids,” but he is still deciding to stay virtual for the remainder of the year, even with vaccines and the new procedures.

Over 30% of the population has had their first dose of the vaccine and about 16% of the population are fully vaccinated. For more information about Covid-19 and/or the vaccine visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/