Vermont Business Magazine The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, which has received emergency use authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration, has been administered to more than 1,200 educators and school staff, largely from the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union (SVSU), at Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics the last two Saturdays. They were the first two of three clinics that will be held to ensure that educators and school staff are vaccinated, according to Vermont’s vaccine rollout plan.
Meaghan Morgan-Puglisi, right, who teaches Math to 9 – 12 graders at Mount Anthony Union High School, was “really relieved.”
She saw several people she knew, including former students, working at the clinic.
“It’s really cool to see the joyous environment… It sort of feels like a celebration. Going to school has been scary. This is a huge sigh of relief.”
Judith Thompson, seated, is a learner support person at Molly Stark Elementary, though this year, she has been serving in various roles, including as a substitute.
Just before getting her shot, she said, “There’s excitement but a little anxiety. I feel it’s another measure of being protected from the virus. For that, I am overjoyed.”
Vaccine information is available on the health system’s website, svhealthcare.org. It includes the phased vaccination plan. Those 65 and older and those 16 and older who have high-risk health conditions are also eligible to register and make an appointment on the state’s site. Starting Thursday, those 60 and older will be eligible.
Mask wearing, distancing, handwashing, and testing will continue to be important until after 75 percent of the population has been vaccinated. Public health experts project that restrictions could be lifted as early as this summer.
About SVSU:
Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union (SVSU) is a public school supervisory union made up of six elementary schools, a middle school, one high school, and an early education program with two locations. Our district covers the Vermont towns of Bennington, Shaftsbury, Pownal, and Woodford Hollow. The SVSU is proud to serve over 3,000 students. For more information, please visit www.svsu.org.
About SVHC:
Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVHC includes Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center, the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation, and the SVHC Foundation. SVMC includes 25 primary and specialty care practices.
Southwestern Vermont Health Care is among the most lauded small rural health systems in the nation. It ranked fourth nationwide for the value of care it provides by the Lown Institute Hospital Index. It is a four-time recipient of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. It has also received the highest marks possible from The Joint Commission, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Leapfrog Group.
Source: BENNINGTON, VT—March 23, 2021—SVHC