AllentownSchool District

PA Secretary of Education Visits ASD Vaccination Clinic

PA Secretary of Education Visits ASD Vaccination Clinic
Posted on 12/09/2021

 On Thursday, December 9, Education Secretary Noe Ortega visited a community vaccine clinic at the Dieruff High School in the Allentown School District. The district has partnered with the Allentown Health Bureau to host the clinic for students, staff, and families in the community. The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination to help protect against COVID-19. In total, over 400 members of the community received their vaccine or booster, including new Superintendent Dr. Stanford! 

“As we work collaboratively and proactively to move from pandemic to endemic, we know that vaccines for our youngest and more vulnerable population was a critical next step,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Noe Ortega. “We must continue our efforts to protect the health and safety of our students and communities, and vaccine clinics like this get us closer to regaining some sense of normalcy and routine.”

The visit is part of the Wolf Administration’s efforts to encourage all eligible Pennsylvanians to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The pediatric vaccine is safe and the best way to give our children the power to safely learn, play, and be a kid.

With parental consent, children ages 5 through 11 can receive the free FDA-authorized, CDC-approved and pediatrician recommended Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. In addition to clinics at many schools, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available at pediatrician offices, health centers, pharmacies, and other healthcare provider facilities.

“Allentown School District is excited to partner with the Health Bureau to give not just our students, but also their families and our staff the opportunity to get a COVID-19 vaccine at our schools,” said Superintendent Dr. John Stanford, “We are thankful for the support of our community health partners who have assisted us in hosting over a dozen clinics in our buildings since the vaccine was available.”

Pennsylvania school communities and health partners have planned, promoted, and hosted successful vaccination efforts to keep children in classrooms across the commonwealth. Since the start of the 2021-22 school year, PDE has visited school communities and encouraged vaccination efforts amongst youth.

The state Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable, and efficient across the commonwealth. Use Vaccine Finder to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please visit the website or follow PDE on FacebookTwitterYouTube, or Pinterest