Penn Hills School District hosts vaccine clinic at Linton Middle School
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The Penn Hills School District recently hosted a vaccine clinic at Linton Middle School as part of its ongoing effort to provide people ages 12 and older the chance to get vaccinated.
Superintendent Nancy Hines said eight people received a Pfizer shot Friday via partnership with UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
The clinic was open to the public and participants did not have to be from the district.
“While we were hoping for higher numbers, we acknowledge and appreciate that every newly vaccinated person helps us with the larger goal of keeping our community safe,” Hines said.
Junior Taylor Roach, 16, was one of the Penn Hills students who participated.
“I just want to be safer around my classmates, and I also cheer,” she said. “I’m hoping to be safer around the cheerleaders and the football players.”
Taylor said she felt fine after her second shot.
“It was almost painless, and I’m not that good with pain,” she said. “I just want to get back to normal. I’m excited to get back into school because I ‘was virtual’ almost all of last year.”
Taylor’s father, Noel Roach Jr., who is also vaccinated, said he supports his daughter’s decision to get the shot and the district to host its clinics.
“I think it’s a great idea and a great thing for the community,” he said. “I think it’s necessary for the health and safety of the masses. I understand people have their own viewpoints (on vaccinations), but I just think it’s necessary for the health and safety of all of us that we take the steps and get vaccinated.”
The first day of class for the 2021-22 school year was Monday. Everyone in the buildings are required to wear a mask or face covering.
The Aug. 27 clinic was the fourth hosted by Penn Hills School District this year and the third at Linton specifically. It also hosted one at the high school.
The first was in April in conjunction with the Allegheny County Health Department and Penn Hills EMS.
EMS Supervisor Diane Fitzhenry said about 70 people received shots at that session. More than 150 people total received the vaccine at the clinics.
Penn Hills has joined in competition with Woodland Hills School District to see which one will have the most vaccinated football players and cheerleaders by their game Sept. 17 at Penn Hills.
“I think it’s great,” Woodland Hills Superintendent James Harris said Tuesday. “Nancy Hines and I work really well together, and I think it’s a great idea. It works for us. It’s something fun to do with a good purpose.”
A Pfizer clinic will be opened from 3-6 p.m. on game day for people ages 12 and older at Linton Middle School.
The winning district will received a pizza party after the game sponsored Penn Hills alum and physician Dr. Robert Crossey and Premier Medical Associates.
“I think it’s a good way of fueling the rivalry,” Taylor said. “It will help people stay safe and also make them want to compete with other schools.”
Woodland Hills’ estimated 3,300 students started school Aug. 23. That district also required everyone to wear masks inside even before Tuesday’s statewide mandate.
More information about Penn Hills School District activities is available online at phsd.k12.pa.us.