GALVESTON, Texas — Galveston ISD employees and some students now have easier access to COVID-19 vaccinations.
They began getting shots Tuesday on a couple of campuses.
"I'm not keen on needles," said GISD employee Adrian Bustinza. "But I didn't feel a thing."
Bustinza got his first dose at Ball High School after recently giving up while in a long line elsewhere.
"When the opportunity presented itself here at the district, I wanted to go ahead and do it here at the district,” Bustinza said.
His was one of at least 200 doses the district planned to give out through a partnership with non-profit Teen Health Centers which operates on five GISD campuses.
"We are trying to make it as easy as possible for teachers to become vaccinated," said Angie Brown, Teen Health Center executive director. "We already have relationships with the teachers. They often come to us with their medical needs.”
The district said many educators may have already gotten immunized off campus.
But this allows them to make time during the school day like in between periods.
“So we’ll be able to make sure we get all of our staff an opportunity to get vaccinated, if they choose to," said GISD spokesman Billy Rudolph. "And then, beyond that, we do have plans to even offer it to the community.”
Right now, in addition to taking reservations from teachers and other school staff, students who are at least 18 years old with pre-existing medical conditions are eligible for on-campus vaccinations, too.
“I would say if you have the opportunity to get the vaccine to go ahead and get the vaccine,” Bustinza said.
Galveston ISD's media release regarding vaccinations:
"COVID Vaccine Now Available for Galveston ISD Staff at Campus Clinics
"GALVESTON, Texas - March 23, 2021 - Beginning today, all Galveston ISD staff members can receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at on-campus Teen Health Centers. It is also available to students who are at least 18 years old with medical conditions.
"The district has Teen Health Centers located at five of its 12 campuses. The Ball High School clinic has received 100 doses which will be available beginning March 23, 2021. The other sites are expected to receive supplies in the coming days and plans to administer doses at those sites. Teen Health Center will also bring them to the other campuses that do not have a Teen Health medical clinic for on-site appointments.
"On-Campus Vaccine Distribution: Ball High School 4115 Avenue O Galveston, TX 77550
'Many of our staff members have already received the vaccine but this will ensure that all teachers and other campus employees have convenient access,' says Teen Health Center Executive Director Angie Brown. 'We’ll visit all campuses and then plans are to offer our Teen Health Center sites as distribution clinics for the public.'
"Galveston ISD is a public school district in Texas, established in 1884, that serves nearly 7,000 students. Its 12 Schools of Choice campuses consist of traditional and theme based schools, charter schools, STEM programs, magnet schools, and a mega-magnet high school. The district’s mission is to Educate, Engage and Empower EACH student for a life of Excellence. To learn more, visit www.gisd.org."