More than half the staff members at Lakeside School District were administered the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine by Smith Drug and Compounding personnel on Tuesday.
Kelly Orr, a registered nurse at Lakeside High School and point of contact for the district, said the district's staff members expressed excitement about having a vaccine after dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic for nearly a year.
"They have been waiting for this day. We are ready to take our masks off, hug our students again and see their smiles and see their expressions and just get back to where we can really teach our kids a little bit better without the distance and the requirements of masking and social distancing," Orr said.
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The district had a reasonably good turnout, with roughly 275 staff members who requested the vaccine, which ended up being about 65% of the staff overall, she said.
"We have had a few decide to get it today that originally said no. So that number may go up a little bit," Orr said. "We'll know those final totals this afternoon."
Orr said she knew the district would be in group 1B in January when they came back from Christmas break and sent out a Google form asking the educators whether they wanted the vaccine.
The district also contacted the janitorial and cafeteria staffs, bus drivers, and anyone else who has contact with students within the district.
"Once Lance (Smith of Smith Drug and Compounding) gave me the call, he said we may have a certain amount of vaccines. He actually called Sunday and said we'll have it Tuesday. It actually happened very quickly. We got all the consents filled out, signed up, and got a place to give the shots," Orr said.
She said she understands some people are hesitant about the vaccine, which seemed to be developed very quickly.
"I think the science is there. The scientists who have studied this vaccine and created this vaccine, they have not cut any corners. They have made it safe," Orr said.
"There's very minimal ingredients in it. So at this point, we have given so many vaccines that we have a good research base so that we can continue to have good information. I also think at this point, anything is worth trying," she said.
Orr said she thinks if herd immunity is established to where COVID is not affecting the elderly population and people can be around their parents, can go to church again, can do daily activities, or can have interaction with friends and loved ones, it will end up helping the general population as a whole.
"I see our kids, how sad they are, how they feel like they're missing out on opportunities. I know my nephew was a senior, and he will not step foot in his high school his whole entire senior year. I feel like they're missing out on life opportunities that you just can't get back," she said.
At the moment, Lakeside does have staff members that are quarantined and will be working with Smith Drug and Compounding to get another day where those employees can get their first vaccine.
"Then in 28 days, hopefully, we'll be able to set this up again," Orr said.
