Community Corner
Arlington Fire Department, Arlington ISD Work Together To Vaccinate Students And Their Families
"I feel better about her going out of the house around people and my other families who are younger."
May 17, 2021
By Susan Schrock
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The Arlington Fire Department and Arlington Independent School District teamed up Monday to provide COVID-19 vaccines to students and their families ahead of the summer break.
Students ages 12 and up and their family members, along with Arlington ISD staff, were able to receive the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the one-day clinic, held at the Arlington ISD’s Athletics Center. Arlington ISD Superintendent Dr. Marcela Cavazos said the vaccination effort will allow more students to participate in face-to-face learning in the fall semester.
Find out what's happening in Arlingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“As more people take advantage of the vaccine, now in particular with students, it really returns us to that normalcy a lot faster,” Dr. Cavazos said. “This is a big step toward that. The parents and students have been very appreciative because they know this is another step in mitigating the spread.”
Maricela Willet and her family were among those who took advantage of the clinic, which did not require an appointment. Willet, a 41-year-old grocery store employee, received the vaccine, along with her husband and her two oldest children. She said the vaccine will make her feel more comfortable about being at work and about her teens returning to in-person learning in high school this fall.
“It was nice that we didn’t have to make an appointment. We came right in and got it done. We didn’t have to wait, and we didn’t have to travel far,” Willet said. “It was easy.”
Arlington ISD student Angelina Metcalf said she received a special birthday gift on Monday – a COVID-19 vaccine alongside her mom.
“I feel better about her going out of the house around people and my other families who are younger. That way we can keep them safe, too,” Angelina Metcalf said.
Dr. Cavazos thanked the City of Arlington, the Arlington Fire Department, school nurses and other school district employees who worked together to make the clinic possible.
“I’m really proud of our community. We have come together on many different challenges and we have done it together,” he said. “That brings great joy and it also brings great hope that we all are able to return to normal in the really near future. “
Assistant Fire Chief Gerald Randall stressed the importance of those who received their first dose of the vaccine to return on their scheduled appointment date June 7 for the follow-up shot.
“It’s absolutely critical. We need these kids fully protected,” said Randall, adding that the Fire Department will consider additional vaccination clinics for students and their families in the coming weeks. He also encouraged parents to check with local pharmacies and other providers on vaccine availability, which can be found online.
This press release was produced by the City of Arlington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
