Chicago Heights School District 170 has announced details of its plan to vaccinate up to 400 eligible staff and educators against the COVID-19 virus.
The district will administer the vaccines at its new middle school, located at 1020 Dixie Highway, Chicago Heights, Illinois. The first vaccinations will take place on Thursday, February 4, from 11 am to 4 pm. The second immunization will be dispensed on Friday, March 5.
"The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority during these turbulent times, and vaccinating our staff is an essential step in protecting our students and their families," CHSD170 Superintendent Tom Amadio said.
"This vaccination protocol augments safety procedures already implemented district-wide to prepare for the return to in-school instruction and a resumption of the normal educational routine."
Per the State of Illinois and Cook County Department of Public Health's (CCPDH) plan, vaccination eligibility is expanding to school staff and other employees in essential frontline roles beginning on January 25 as part of Phase 1b. Vaccine availability is ultimately dependent upon the number of vaccines the city receives.
CCDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D., addressed concerns concerning the safety of the plan, saying, "These vaccines are safe and effective, and while we're asking for patience as we work through the roll-out, we encourage everyone to get vaccinated when it is their turn."
"Studies, including our own, have consistently supported that in-person learning is safe and not a source of significant spread of the virus. In fact, we are more concerned about a spread in social situations outside school, where there are fewer controls and precautions in place."