Local schools are partnering with Lane County Public Health this week to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to 5 to 11 year-olds. In Eugene, the Bethel School District is holding clinics Wednesday and Friday.
Bethel spokesperson Alisha Dodds, said they’re hopeful, with more kids vaccinated against the virus, there will be fewer cases and missed school days, which is hard on students.
“It really affects our students in that they’re unable to stay completely up to date with what their classmates are doing in person,” Dodds said. “And so there is a strain there and it is tough to work through some of those issues and so we’re hoping that with more families getting vaccinated. There will be fewer students who are quarantined and fewer students missing school.”
Dodds said hosting clinics at school has worked well for district families.
“So hosting a clinic inside one of our schools that staffed by our staff members is a really warm and welcoming environment for children to come get vaccinated,” Dodds said. “We had a lot of success with the older age group that we did last school yearWe’ve heard from families that they want to do that again. We try to make the environment really warm and child-friendly with decorations and music.”
Dodds said the vaccine clinics this week have filled up quickly. But they will have more clinics in the coming weeks.
Copyright 2021 KLCC.
