COLUMBUS — Child care employees and school personnel will be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination through the month of March under the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.
The program seeks to provide another opportunity for school employees who opted not to receive the vaccine last month during a series of vaccination clinics specifically for educators.
Participating pharmacies across the nation have been asked to set aside unbooked appointments throughout the month for teachers, school staff and childcare workers.
“Pharmacies will honor all existing appointments (for other priority populations),” the program’s FAQ page stated. “If extra slots are available, these will be expanded to other populations that meet state eligibility criteria.”
Currently, the participating pharmacies in Ohio include CVS, Meijer, Rite Aid, Kroger, Walgreens, Walmart and Sam’s Club. Eligible individuals can make an appointment here.
Superintendent Kevin Kimmel, of the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center, estimated that about 60 percent of educators in Richland County school districts received the vaccine through MOESC’s clinics in February and March. MOESC serves most of the county’s public and private schools, with the exception of Clear Fork, Shelby and Ontario.
Ontario Supt. Lisa Carmichael said 151 staff members (approximately 67 percent of staff) received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday.
Shelby Supt. Tim Tarvin reported last month that 182 district staff members (70 percent) chose to receive the vaccine.
