Bessemer students can receive vaccine at WUPHD

By CHARITY SMITH

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Bessemer — As those 16 years old and older are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, the Western Upper Peninsula Heath Department has reached out to all the school districts in the county, gauging interest among the students.

While WUPHD officials have offered to set up a shot clinic in each school, Bessemer Superintendent Dan Niemi said they have decided to let the kids just walk over to the health department, located a block away.

Parents of students age 16-18 can sign up their student to receive a vaccine by calling WUPHD or registering online, said Niemi.

“We will allow them to leave school and go walk across the road to get their shot and then they can return,” said Niemi. “But they need to have parent permission. They need to have all the paperwork done ... prior to them going to get their shot.”

Niemi said they could have opted to have WUPHD come into the school to administer the shots, but he said he thinks it is better if the parents initiate contact with the health department and make their child’s appointment to go over there and get it done.

“Instead of doing a mass shot process here. It’s only a building away. It’s across the road,” Niemi said. “So it’s kind of good for us.”

Neimi said that this was not an option for other school districts such as Wakefield and Ironwood, which have to have WUPHD come into their buildings to provide students with vaccinations.

Cari DiGiorgio, of the WUPHD, told the Daily Globe Monday that she was gauging interest in the schools, so they’d know how much Pfizer vaccine to order. “We don’t want too much of it, as it has a short shelf-life,” she said.

To schedule an appointment contact the health department at 906-667-0200.