Educators and School Staff Receive COVID-19 Vaccines

It was the first of three clinics that will be held on Saturdays to ensure that educators and school staff are vaccinated, according to Vermont’s vaccine rollout plan.
 
Meaghan Morgan-Puglisi, left middle, who teaches Math to 9 – 12 graders at Mount Anthony Union High School was “really relieved.”
 
She saw several people she knew, including former students working at the clinic.
 
“It’s really cool to see the joyous environment… It sort of feels like a celebration. Going to school has been scary. This is a huge sigh of relief.”
 
Judith Thompson, lower left, is a learner support person at Molly Stark Elementary. Though this year, she has been serving in various roles, including as substitute.
 
Just before getting her shot, she said, “There’s excitement but a little anxiety. I feel it’s another measure of being protected from the virus. For that, I am overjoyed.”
 
Vaccine information is available on the health system’s website, svhealthcare.org. It includes the phased vaccination plan. Those 65 and older and those 16 and older who have high-risk health conditions are also eligible to register and make an appointment on the state’s site.

Mask wearing, distancing, handwashing, and testing will continue to be important until after 75 percent of the population has been vaccinated. Public health experts project that restrictions could be lifted as early as this summer.
 
About SVSU:
Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union (SVSU) is a public school supervisory union made up of six elementary schools, a middle school, one high school, and an early education program with two locations. Our district covers the Vermont towns of Bennington, Shaftsbury, Pownal, and Woodford Hollow. The SVSU is proud to serve over 3,000 students. For more information, please visit www.svsu.org.

About SVHC:
Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVHC includes Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center, the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation, and the SVHC Foundation. SVMC includes 25 primary and specialty care practices.

Southwestern Vermont Health Care is among the most lauded small rural health systems in the nation. It ranked fourth nationwide for the value of care it provides by the Lown Institute Hospital Index. It is a four-time recipient of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. It has also received the highest marks possible from The Joint Commission, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Leapfrog Group.

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center provides exceptional care without discriminating on the basis of an individual’s age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available at 1-800-367-9559.