CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Students at Betsy Ross Elementary in Forest Park put down their pencils and rolled up their sleeves.
Forest Park School District 91 canceled class on Monday to host district-wide COVID-19 vaccination clinics at two of its elementary schools.
“As soon as the vaccine was approved for children, we knew we had to do something fast to get our children protected,” said District 91 Superintendent Elizabeth Alvarez. “As an elementary district composed of children 12 and younger, dispensing the vaccine will have a major impact on the safety of our school community.”
The goal is to give students ages 5 to 11 some protection heading into Thanksgiving and get them fully vaccinated by winter break.
“We hope that this will decrease positive cases as we go into the new year, 2022, hopeful for a new beginning for all of us,” added Alvarez.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike attended the event, noting that the smaller-dosed vaccine is key to keeping kids out of quarantine.
“So they can get back to activities that shape healthy childhood development, and most importantly, get back to wonderful holiday traditions, enjoy the holiday season with less anxiety and concern,” said Ezike.
Second doses of the vaccine will be administered on Dec. 23 at Grant White Elementary.
Chicago Public Schools hosted a similar event earlier this month as part of a Vaccine Awareness Day.
Related
