Salem Saltonstall 'Second Dose' Student Vaccine Clinic Saturday

SALEM, MA — Salem Public Schools will host a "second dose" coronavirus vaccination clinic for children ages 5 to 11 on Saturday.

Students who had their first dose at the Nov. 20 Saltonstall clinic are already pre-registered for this clinic. It is open to any student who is scheduled for a second dose regardless of where the first dose occurred.

The clinic will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Saltonstall auditorium at 211 Lafayette Street. Those who are not already registered may do so here. Walk-ups will be accepted as supplies allowed.

"Unfortunately, we do not have any more adult or booster doses for the community at this time," school officials said. "We know that it has become more difficult to schedule and are working with our partners, but we do not anticipate getting access to more booster doses before the holidays as of right now."

Those looking for a vaccine for their student, but have not been able to get one, are asked to submit a request for assistance here.

The final clinic comes at a time when Superintendent Steve Zrike acknowledged an increase of cases both among students and staff in Salem Public Schools.

"We do have a number of staff members who are out with COVID — breakthrough cases in many situations," Zrike said during his weekly Facebook Live session. "We're really pushing that our educators get their boosters. Also, their own children and their own family members have come down with COVID. We've seen a rise in cases."

Zrike said because of staff shortages due to quarantines — and difficulty finding additional substitutes — the schools have been bringing some classes together in larger spaces such as auditoriums and cafeterias for coverage purposes.

"We're having some significant staffing challenges related to people who have been out," he said. "We also have people who are having symptoms who we are telling to stay home for their own safety and the safety of others.

"Not surprising during this time of year — in a year of COVID."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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