More than a thousand kids register for North Allegheny vaccination clinics

Natalie Beneviat | Friday, November 19, 2021 12:00 a.m.

Ingomar Middle School hosted voluntary vaccination clinics for students aged 5-11 on Nov. 16 and Nov. 22.

More than 1,000 students, ages 5 to 11, registered for voluntary vaccination clinics conducted Nov. 16 and Nov. 22 at Ingomar Middle School in the North Allegheny School District, officials said.

The first clinic Nov. 16 had 672 registrations, and the second vaccination clinic Nov. 22 had 342 registrations, according to Dr. Michele Dowell, director of Student Services at North Allegheny School District.

The clinics were optional for students in the school district.

The Pfizer vaccine, which requires two doses, was administered by Giant Eagle.

“Knowing that some of our families were interested in the covid-19 vaccine for students aged 5 (to) 11, North Allegheny School District welcomed the opportunity to provide a space for Giant Eagle,” said Dowell.

Students without health insurance were able to obtain the vaccination for free.

North Allegheny requires everyone indoors to wear masks if Allegheny County is at a high or substantial level of covid infections.

Now that vaccinations are available to all grade level ages, the mask issue could be revisited, said outgoing NA School Board President Andrew Chomos, whose term expires ext month.

“That’s an issue for the future board to discuss,” he said.

Earlier in November, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced he intends to return masking decisions for grades kindergarten through 12 back to the local level on Jan. 17. Local school officials would be able to decide the mask issue.

The board conducts a reorganization meeting Dec. 1 with three new school board members Leslie Britton Dozier, Paige Hardy and Vidya Szymkowiak taking their seats.

Incumbent Rick McClure also will be sworn in to another term.

Chomos, Allyson Minton and Scott Russell are departing the board.

The district recently announced all school board meetings will be held virtually until the end of the year. Chomos said he might ask the administration and fellow board members to conduct the reorganization in-person. The reorganization meeting is more of a “celebration” event, opposed to a work meeting, he noted.

“I do understand the desire to be there to support these people who won the election,” he said.