MANCHESTER, Conn. (AP) - Several Connecticut school districts have been forced
to close or stop in-person learning for a day, after educators attending vaccine
clinics called in sick with side effects from the shot.
Manchester schools reported a shortage of teachers and bus drivers on Monday
after a vaccine clinic for educators was held there over the weekend.
``I understand the challenges this causes for parents and families and had
hoped to avoid going remote for the day,'' Matt Geary, the town's school
superintendent wrote to the community Monday. ``I apologize for the
inconvenience.''
A similar incident caused a Colchester elementary school to close for a day
last month and forced Stamford schools to delay a return to in-person learning
for one day.
In Region 13, which includes Durham and Middlefield, officials proactively
scheduled a day off for Monday after a clinic was scheduled on April 3 to give
educators their second vaccine dose.
``The good news is that we held one snow day in reserve for this exact
scenario, so we do not need to adjust our calendar or change the graduation
date,'' Superintendent Doug Schuch wrote.
Southington officials made a similar decision last month, giving staff a day
off the Monday after a March 14 clinic.
Typical side effects of the vaccines include pain, redness and swelling on the
arm the shot was administered to and tiredness, a headache, muscle pain, chills,
fever and nausea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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