By Noah Johnson and Josh Bootsma
LANSING, Ill. (November 4, 2021) – Lansing’s school districts have taken steps to make a COVID-19 vaccine available to their staff, faculty, and — in the case of District 215 — their students. Before the year’s end, these districts have scheduled some additional events to allow local residents to get vaccinated.
TF South
TF South is hosting its next vaccine event on November 22 from 3–7 p.m. Principal Jacob Gourley said the most recent vaccine event on October 29 resulted in 80 shots, most of which were for a booster dose.
District 215 Public Relations Officer Dominique Newman said the vaccine events are important offerings for students: “We are working really hard to get our vaccination rates up among students so part of that is presenting opportunities where students can get their vaccines on school property,” she said.
District 215 also held a vaccine clinic at TF North during the TF South vs. TF North football game on October 8, and has provided many other opportunities for students to receive a shot. TF South has also provided incentives for doing so, including a “vaccinated only” winter dance on December 11.
Gourley said of the upcoming November 22 event: “If the provider is prepared to offer initial shots to the age 5-11 group by then, we could see larger numbers of younger students from the area.” Shots will be administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
District 158
The next District 158 vaccine events will be held at Coolidge Elementary on Thursday, November 11, from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. (during parent/teacher conferences) and Saturday, December 4, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Dr. Nathan Schilling, Superintendent of the District, said, “The COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 will be offered during these clinics.”
Illinois adopted the CDC’s recommendation that the Pfizer vaccine be administered to kids ages 5–11 on November 3.
District 158 has also hosted multiple vaccinations events in recent months, though the upcoming events will be the first to offer vaccines to district students. Schilling estimated between 30-50 people were vaccinated at each past event.
The upcoming clinics at Coolidge will offer the Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, as well as booster shots.
Nearby vaccine clinics can also be found at vaccines.gov.
Sunnybrook District 171 did not reply to The Lansing Journal’s request for comment.
TF South is located at 18500 Burnham Avenue, Lansing. Coolidge Elementary School is located at 17845 Henry Street, Lansing.
Related
- IDPH recommends Pfizer vaccine for kids 5-11 (November 3, 2021)
- TF South COVID positivity rate lower than Lansing’s (October 5, 2021)
