Phoenix Union to launch COVID vaccination sites for educators
Jan 15, 2021, 4:45 AM | Updated: 5:21 am
(Facebook Photo/Phoenix Union High School District)
(Facebook Photo/Phoenix Union High School District)
PHOENIX — The Phoenix Union High School District is opening the doors of four of its campuses next week so educators can get COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccines will be offered at Carl Hayden, Central, Cesar Chavez and Maryvale high schools next Friday and Saturday. The four schools will become public points of dispensing, also known as PODs.
“This is for all full- and part-time school employees not just in Phoenix Union, but in our 13 partner elementary school districts as well as charter schools and private schools,” district Superintendent Chad Gestson said.
A link to register will be sent to eligible school staff on Friday. It’s estimated about 20,000 school employees in the area will be eligible to get vaccinated.
RELATED STORIES
“We know that not all will,” Gestson said. “Some have already taken advantage of the general open to the public PODs.”
The district, which remains in remote learning until at least February, is partnering with three local pharmacies from Safeway, Albertsons and Fry’s to provide Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine.
They’re projected to distribute about 1,500 vaccines per day at each of the four high schools over the two-day period.
The sites will offer a drive-thru option for educators to get vaccinated. A walk-up option for those who do not drive or need other accommodations will also be offered.
“We will at some point in late February or in March open up our sites once again likely on a Friday and a Saturday to distribute and disperse the second round of the vaccine,” Gestson said, adding the Moderna vaccine requires the second dose be given at least four weeks after the first one.
The district has already opened up some of its campuses for COVID-19 testing as well. Gestson said they plan to again offer the district’s facilities as possible PODs when the state moves into offering vaccines to the general public.
“The Phoenix Union High School District wants to play any role necessary in helping to control the spread of COVID,” he said.
