Chartiers Valley School District inoculates 120 staffers with covid-19 vaccine

Chartiers Valley School District’s head janitor showed up about 10 minutes before the district’s first wave of covid-19 vaccines were administered on Friday.

Richard Parenti, 67, of Bridgeville has been with the district for around 40 years. He’s swept the hallways, cleaned the classrooms and knows just about everything there is to know about all the buildings.

On Friday, he added one more memory to all those he’s stored over the decades — this time, the memory was made in the high school’s blue-accented gym. He, along with 120 other district employees, received his first dose of the Moderna covid-19 vaccine.

The district put together a vaccination clinic for staff over age 65 or those with pre-existing conditions. Officials worked in partnership with Primary Care Pharmacy to set up three registration desks, two inoculation stations and a large waiting area with chairs spaced apart in the gymnasium.

“I wouldn’t say I’m excited about it,” Parenti said moments before getting the injection. “It’s just what needs to happen.”

Those inoculated Friday will return to the same place in exactly four weeks to receive the second dose of the vaccine.

Donna Miller, a bus aide, turned 74 on Friday. Moments after getting her shot, a pharmacist caught up with her. She had a Dum-Dum lollipop in her hand and wished her a happy birthday.

“Yay – a lollipop!” she exclaimed. After a laugh, she explained she was a bit hesitant before eventually signing up to receive the vaccine.

“I heard some stories,” she said. “And, you know, I’m a little older so it got me thinking a bit. But I finally thought, ‘it’s either one or the other. Either I get the shot or I take my chances if I get sick.’ I think it’s just necessary for everyone. And it’s something that could help, it can’t hurt.”

Moderna is one of several companies that received an Emergency Use Authorization for its covid-19 vaccine. According to the biotechnology company’s fact sheet about its vaccine, “it may not protect everyone.”

“The Moderna covid-19 vaccine is an unapproved vaccine. In clinical trials, approximately 15,400 individuals 18 years of age and older have received at least 1 dose of the Moderna vaccine,” reads the fact sheet.

It said the vaccine has been shown to prevent the disease following two doses spaced out a month apart but that the duration of protection against the virus is unknown.

Nevertheless, those who received the injection Friday were relieved for the added protection.

Ray Kennedy, 76, drives a bus for the school district. He said he was happy to get the shot and that he wants more places to offer it so his wife can also receive it.

“I’d rather have a sore shoulder than end up in the hospital,” Kennedy said.

John DeJames, a Primary Care pharmacist, helped administer the shots from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. He worked alongside Duquesne University students and said they were able to inoculate around 80 people within the first hour.

He said he was happy to help and be part of history.

“The last we did this was 100 years ago and you and I weren’t here,” he said, referring to the 1918 influenza pandemic.

Michelle Opferman, the district’s head nurse, said 63 of the 120 employees inoculated were over the age of 65, with the rest qualifying under pre-existing conditions. She said there is also a waiting list.

Of her 21 years as a nurse, she said Friday was one of the more exciting days.

“It’s been a long year,” she said. “Nothing any of us ever expected. Personally, this is so exciting for me – probably one of my most exciting days being a nurse.