For Immediate Release: January 24, 2021
Contact: Tricia Runyan, Communications Specialist
Phone: 540.743.3750 ext. 2403
Email: trunyan@pagecounty.k12.va.us
VDH Holds Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic at Page County High School
1400+ Vaccinations Given Over 6 Hours
LURAY, Va. ― On Friday, January 22, 2021, The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) utilized Page County High School as a vaccination point of distribution to administer Covid-19 vaccinations to over1400 people in a span of 6 hours. During times of a pandemic the VDH can utilize high schools as vaccination centers.
Because of the unique design of Page County High School’s ventilation system and gymnasium, and the school’s ability to isolate people receiving a vaccine from students and staff, the gymnasium was used as a staging area. Recipients entered and exited at the back of the gym. The ventilation system in the gym zone ventilates to the outside and is separate from the ventilation in the rest of the school to prevent cross-contamination. Health workers and people receiving the vaccine were not in contact with students at any time. The Virginia Department of Health cleaned the staging area during and after the vaccinations. After the vaccination event, custodians deep-cleaned the gym and locker rooms in preparation for the JV game that took place later that evening.
The clinic was organized by the Virginia Department of Health, and was not a school function. School personnel did assist with parking and traffic flow at the event after unexpected traffic back-ups became the biggest issue. While traffic may have been a problem, the VDH officials present stated, due to our efforts, this was the smoothest vaccination yet organized; additionally, they reported that Friday’s event administered the most vaccinations at a single day, to date. Those who were being vaccinated were nothing but complimentary of the community of Page County and Page County Public Schools, citing our willingness to serve the greater good and move us one step closer to normal.
A future vaccination event is planned for those who received the first dose on the 22nd. The second dose is necessary for the vaccine to be at maximum efficacy. We anticipate more communication and coordination between the VDH and local entities will take place to prepare for another potentially large turn-out.
We would like to thank all of those who helped in Friday’s event, including, The Virginia Department of Health, Emergency Services, Page County Sheriff’s Department, staff, school administration, and the community of Page County.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please call Tricia Runyan at (540)743-3750 (Option 3), or email at trunyan@pagecounty.k12.va.us