WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Many educators didn’t mind the long lines at Lakota West High School Wednesday, because they knew it would be worth the wait.
The hallways of the Butler County high school were filled with teachers and staff -- not students -- on the first day of the vaccine rollout in the district. The effort will distribute about 4,000 shots over three days.
"We've got a lot of teachers that we're trying to get through the line for their first dose of the vaccine today,” said Erin Rolfes, Public Affairs Manager for Kroger. “So, we're really used to vaccinating a lot of people. We vaccinate thousands and thousands of people for the flu every year.”
The Pfizer shots were administered by Kroger employees, and recipients were also given appointments for their second dose before they left.
"It was easy to get the shot and I feel a lot safer now,” said Margaret Dwyer, an instructional aide at Liberty Early Childhood School.
Rolling up her sleeve today was about keeping herself and others safe in the future.
"I'm around different children all day long, and I just feel like it's one layer of protection,” she said. “We've done the mask, we do the distancing, you know, hand washing. But, this is important to move our country forward."
On Wednesday, Kroger distributed Pfizer vaccines, but the team said they learn which vaccine they'll have on hand weekly.
Meanwhile, Dwyer said getting the shot eases some concerns she has. She believes her risk is elevated by her age and some underlying medical conditions. Now, she has her first dose and is scheduled an appointment to receive her second.
"For us to go through a building in an hour, that's a lot easier than waiting hours and hours for a COVID shot,” she said. “So, I'm thankful that Lakota did this for us."
Are you having trouble getting a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, even if you qualify? Email lisa.smith@wcpo.com and we'll try to get you connected to a provider.
