OSF HealthCare has approached Dunlap School District#323 about hosting a vaccination site at the high school, and it could arrive as early as next week. At Wednesday night’s board of education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Scott Dearman said after a conference call with regional superintendents, he was contacted by an OSF representative interested in having an in-school vaccination site for students ages 16 and older.
“I was contacted about that because of the size of our school,” said Dearman. “They thought we would have a number of students (interested) and asked if we would host.”
The site would be accessible to eligible Dunlap High School students only; students would receive the two-dose Pfizer vaccine. Dearman stated that as of Wednesday night, there were about 160 eligible students who had indicated they would be interested in being vaccinated.
“We had roughly 800 students that were eligible for that 16-18 (year-old) group, and we’ve had right around 160 sign up for it,” said Dearman. “That doesn’t count those that have already had (the vaccine)...or those that are fully remote, so I think it’s a pretty strong number.”
Dearman also mentioned that about 86% of Dunlap staff have been vaccinated.
“There was no pressure for staff,” said Dearman. “At last check, it was 86% (vaccinated). I’m guessing it’s probably higher than that now.”
Dunlap administration is still in the process of planning the specifics of the site, and no further details are available at this time.
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