EDUCATION + SCHOOLS

Davis School District rolls out COVID-19 vaccine for teachers and faculty

UPDATED: JANUARY 12, 2021 AT 6:00 PM

(Drivers lining up inside the Legacy Events Center in Farmington. Credit: Derek Petersen, KSL TV)

BY PAUL NELSON
KSLNewsRadio

FARMINGTON, Utah — Many educators have been waiting a long time for today, the first day that teachers and faculty in the Davis School District were able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. And judging by the crowd, demand for the shot appeared to be sky high.

At any given time, you could see hundreds of cars waiting in line at the Legacy Events Center in Farmington. Officials with the Davis School District say they sent out over 3,800 emails to employees encouraging them to make an appointment to get vaccinated. They said the response was overwhelmingly positive.

(A small section of the line of cars entering the COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Legacy Events Center. Credit: Paul Nelson)

One pre-school teacher said two of her loved ones are already very ill, and she needs the vaccine to keep them safe.

“My husband is seriously immune-compromised and my mother is currently going through chemotherapy for breast cancer,” she told KSL Newsradio.

“There are risks either way. I think I would rather take this risk because I would like to possibly prevent me getting someone else sick,” a school athletic trainer said. “I want to get back to normal and see my family, especially my parents.”

The district provided 12 school nurses to assist in giving the vaccine.

Officials with the Davis County Health Department estimate they’ll be able to administer nearly 2,000 doses of the vaccine, per day. Educators will have more chances to get the vaccine on Friday and Saturday. District Spokesman Chris Williams believes this vaccine rollout will be a huge success.

“We are excited beyond belief. We’ve been waiting for months,” Williams said.

Even after everyone gets fully vaccinated with both doses, Williams said things won’t exactly go back to “normal” any time soon. He said the vaccine won’t make them change their current safety practices.

“We’re all going to have to wear masks. We’re all going to have to do our best to keep people at home when they’re sick, physically distance and practice great hygiene,” according to Williams.

How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person, similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:

Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
Don’t touch your face.
Wear a mask to protect yourself and others per CDC recommendations.
Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet).
If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities).
Get a flu shot.