SHELBY — More than 300 teachers and staff across Shelby will be inoculated against the COVID-19 virus on Friday.
The Shelby City Health Department is partnering with school officials from Shelby St. Mary’s, the Shelby City Schools system, and Pioneer Career & Technology Center to provide vaccines to 330 of teachers and staff.
A vaccine clinic will be in the Shelby Senior High School gymnasium from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
“The Shelby City Health Department is pleased to join tomorrow’s initiative to vaccinate hundreds of teachers across Richland County,” said Shelby Mayor Steve Schag, who also serves as the head of the Shelby City Health Department.
“The clinic represents a collaborative effort consisting of a combined team of over 30 medically trained/certified personnel, school staff, and volunteer members of the Shelby community.”
Shelby Supt. Tim Tarvin reported at Wednesday night’s Board of Education meeting that 70 percent of the district’s staff have chosen to receive the vaccine, or 182 people.
“We’re really happy that 70 percent of our staff members have chosen, from their perspective, to put another layer of safety with regard to contracting the virus,” Tarvin said.
Tarvin said teachers would receive the Pfizer vaccine. Shelby teachers will receive their second dose March 12, which is already slated as a professional development day.
Shelby, St. Mary’s and Pioneer students will have a remote learning day on Friday as teachers receive the vaccine.
“Each individual receiving the vaccine must remain in observation by a health professional for 15-20 minutes after a shot is administered. If the vaccinations were to take place during a typical school day, each school building would have to find a way to ‘cover’ staff members while they are in the vaccination process,” Tarvin said.
At Pioneer, which accepts students from 14 different partner schools, Supt. Greg Nickoli said about 63 percent of the staff is choosing to be vaccinated, equaling 106 people, including himself.
With 35 career training programs at the school, remote learning has been particularly difficult for Pioneer students.
“I think it’s an added layer of protection for staff members and our students,” Nickoli said. “We’re excited it’s an opportunity for us as this is rolled out statewide to get all kids back into school five days a week. With the amount of hands-on learning we do, it’s imperative that we have our kids in school.”
At St. Mary’s School, Principal Kim Stover said 20 of their 25 full-time staff will be receiving the vaccine. Small class sizes with a total of 85 students at the school have allowed safe in-person learning, with enough space to spread desks six feet apart.
“As an administrator it puts my mind at ease that our staff is protected and can help us fight the battle and get back to normal with in-person learning,” Stover said.
As of Feb. 16, the Shelby City Health Department reported a total of 17 active COVID-19 cases in the Shelby population, with one hospitalization.
The department has documented a total of 747 individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 since the outbreak began in March. Of that cumulative number, there have been 702 individuals who have recovered and 28 COVID-19 deaths — five from the general population and 23 from long-term care facilities.
