Washington Elementary to hold vaccine clinic

BESSEMER — Washington Elementary students will have an opportunity to get their COVID-19 vaccines on Friday. The school is hosting a vaccine clinic for its students to get their first dose from 9 a.m. to noon.

The clinic is offered in conjunction with the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District and the Western U.P. Health Department, which will be on site to administer the vaccine to the students. Principal Mark Switzer said it is not required for anyone, but if they want to get vaccinated, they can with parental permission.

“I’m not sure how many people will actually take advantage of it, but I’m hoping that it’s a fair number,” said Switzer. “That way it will help us to stay open uninterrupted without having to close due to illness.”

Parents are allowed to come in with their children when they are getting vaccinated, he said.

“I know I would be nervous if I was a little one going to get vaccinated without my parents,” he said. Parents need to let the school know ahead of time that they want to accompany their child, so that the school knows to hold off on that student’s shot until the parent is there.

Switzer said permission slips to get the vaccine were sent home with students on Dec. 10. The school will host another clinic on Jan. 7, 2022, for students to get their second dose.

For more information, contact the school at 906-663-4515.