On Saturday, April 17th and Monday, April 19th, the Preuss School UCSD held a clinic to vaccinate part of the Preuss community and families for COVID-19. Vaccines were available from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm for ages 16 and above.

The vaccines available were Moderna for those who were 18 or above and Pfizer for the ones who were 16 to 17 years old. First dose appointments were available that Saturday and Monday, provided by UC San Diego Health. Second dose appointments will be available on Sunday, May 16th, at the Preuss School UCSD.

Itzel Lucas (‘22) an eleventh grade student of the Preuss School UCSD, was one of the people that received the COVID-19 vaccine at the Preuss School.

“I was really happy that I received the vaccine, although my arm was sore afterwards and it hurt to move it.”

The pandemic has endured for over a year already, and in order to stop it we have to get vaccinated. It is important to vaccinate, because the COVID-19 vaccine is a key tool to stop the pandemic. Scientific studies have shown that fully vaccinated people are less likely to contain or spread the virus when being around people. It is an extra protection that will help you and the others around you to stay safe.

“Get the vaccine that is available to you as soon as you can. Consult with your physician for more detailed information if you have additional questions,” executive director, Dr. Helen V. Griffith, advised. “Continue to use the recommended safety measures such as wearing a mask, exercising, physical distancing, and hand washing.”

Many rumors and conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 vaccine have expanded during the past several months. However, all of them have been contradicted. People in society who aren’t well informed are spreading the wrong information bringing fear to others, when in reality the vaccine has been approved as safe and effective. 96.7 million people have already been vaccinated in the United States and the feedback has been great. However, some of the vaccines can be somewhat risky.

For example, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which has been known for giving some much more serious symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headaches, blurred vision, and much more. This vaccine got paused for eleven days, after a rare blood clotting disorder was associated with the shot. Out of eight million people who received the vaccine, fifteen developed the condition and three died. The organism of each person is different, meaning that everyone has different reactions with the vaccine.

During the vaccination events at Preuss, hundreds of people were vaccinated. Saturday and Monday were a success, because many people showed up and left very happy with the thought of being vaccinated. Some fully vaccinated and others halfway there.

“Saturday and Monday were very well-organized days that went very well,” Dr. Griffith expressed. “On Saturday, 233 people were vaccinated. They were so happy to have the vaccine.”

Since Saturday and Monday went so well, the next opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Preuss, will be on Sunday, May 16th. It is very important for the Preuss community to keep everyone safe and healthy. So in order to complete that, the Preuss community is highly encouraged to get the vaccine and to spread the word. Keeping in mind that schools plan to soon reopen and in order to reach normality, we have to put some of our effort.

“The next clinic will be held on Sunday, May 16th. We are looking into holding more clinics at the school for our families on a regular basis,” Dr. Griffith stated.

“We want to do this to make sure those in the Pruess Community (and related to Preuss) have access to the vaccine without barriers, especially those who identify as members of the Black and Brown communities.”