By Aaron McColloch
Sapulpa Public Schools
Good news in the fight against COVID-19 in Oklahoma was announced earlier this month when Gov. Kevin Stitt said Phase 2 of the state’s vaccine distribution plan would expand soon to include school employees among others.
Approximately 89,000 teachers and staff in Pre-K to 12 schools became eligible to receive the vaccine beginning Feb. 22. That includes Sapulpa Public Schools employees.
The district has partnered with Med-World Pharmacy to deliver vaccines to its employees on Thursday, Feb. 25, and Friday, Feb. 26. Med-World is a contracted agent with the state and has been providing the vaccine to Oklahomans here in our community during the state’s first two phases of its distribution plan.
“We have been blessed to have such strong support of our community for a very long time, and this partnership with Med-World is the latest example of that commitment to our schools,” said Rob Armstrong, Superintendent of Sapulpa Public Schools. “When this opportunity arose last week, our discussions with Dr. Travis Wolff quickly shifted to how soon we could get this done for our employees. We’re excited to be able to do this locally with Med-World Pharmacy.”
As stories of people traveling to other cities to receive their shot continue circulating, district employees who have expressed an interest in getting vaccinated will stay here in Sapulpa for their first dose. That convenience means teachers will spend very little time out of the classroom. It also means their second dose will be given here as well.
“Winter weather aside, we have been fortunate to have only had to use Distance Learning a handful of times this year,” said Mr. Armstrong. “These vaccinations, along with mitigation strategies and the declining trend in COVID cases, should help us continue to provide that in-person educational experience for our students and staff as we move into the final three months of the school year.”
In addition to the partnership with Med-World Pharmacy, Sapulpa Public Schools will co-host a COVID-19 Vaccination POD with the Oklahoma State Department of Health on Saturday, Feb. 27.
It will be held at Sapulpa Middle School and will serve as a dual POD – education employees followed by the community. The POD will be open first for employees of nearby school districts in Creek County – Allen Bowden, Lone Star, Kiefer, Kellyville, Mounds, and Pretty Water. Later in the day, adults with comorbidities in the community will get their turn. Community members need to first be registered on the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Portal.
