Educators receive COVID-19 vaccine on Monday

Hot Springs School District Superintendent Stephanie Nehus takes a selfie of herself receiving the COVID-19 vaccine Monday at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs. Photo is courtesy of Nehus. - Submitted photo
Hot Springs School District Superintendent Stephanie Nehus takes a selfie of herself receiving the COVID-19 vaccine Monday at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs. Photo is courtesy of Nehus. - Submitted photo

Hot Springs School District Superintendent Stephanie Nehus was among the many educators who received Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs on Monday.

"I was ecstatic to get the vaccine. So super excited and thankful for our community partners at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs, reaching out and providing this opportunity for our teachers, educators, and staff in the Garland County schools," Nehus said.

"We have been dealing with this pandemic ... for so many months that being able to do my part for my family, for our Hot Springs School District and community for Garland County -- I just feel so honored and proud to be able to do that," she said.

Nehus said she feels other adults now have to do their part.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine can be administered in a two-dose series separated by 21 days to persons 16 years of age and older. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can be administered to persons 18 and older as a two-dose series separated by 28 days.

Arkansas on Monday expanded its distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to educators and people aged 70 or older.

"I feel like not only being a superintendent but being a mother, our children, our youth, our future, don't have the opportunity to get this vaccine," she said.

"I feel like we adults have to do our part because it's going to be us getting the vaccine, developing that herd immunity that's going to ultimately protect our children. For me, that was the key," Nehus said.

Nehus participates in the Hot Springs/Garland County COVID-19 Task Force virtual meetings weekly, which gives the district a link to the doctors and hospitals in the community. Nehus said she also has several friends and family who are in the medical community.

"We have to trust those who are in the medical field and who have the ability to create these vaccines. Was it quick? Yes, it was quick, but we needed it to be quick to protect our communities in our state and our nation," Nehus said.

"I can understand people being hesitant. I guess for that point; I appreciate that it's not a mandated vaccine. People have the right to make their choice. I believe, hope, and trust our medical professionals," she said.

"I never hesitated when I knew from the beginning that once a vaccine was available, I would be the first one in line as soon as they would let me in. I would just encourage everyone to trust our systems and to do their part," Nehus said.

Nehus worked directly with Dr. Doug Ross, president of CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs, to coordinate with the school district.

"Ultimately, I believe (Monday) was open to any educator in Garland County. ... It ran like a smooth oiled machine. Their clinic going from 8 (a.m.) to 4 (p.m.) Monday for educators. We did not have to make an appointment. It was first-come, first-serve, and it went really smoothly," Nehus said.

Nehus said she was told Monday to return for a second shot in 17 to 21 days.

"I plan to work with Dr. Ross at CHI to schedule for that second dose for the Hot Springs School District employees who received their first steps Monday. We do not have a set day or time for that yet, but that's something we'll work towards," Nehus said.

Nehus said she and Ross have been working together to put a clinic on-site in the HSSD in partnership with CHI.

"We've been working together for several months already. I'm just so thankful that we have community partners here in Garland County that see an urgency and a need and are willing to step up and coordinate. It was very simple for us to coordinate the process (on Monday), and I'm just so thankful and appreciative of that," Nehus said.

"(Monday) is the only dedicated day. After (Monday), they will have to make an appointment at any vaccination location that is offering the service," she said.

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