State Rep. Jared Solomon last week co-hosted a vaccination clinic and health fair at William H. Ziegler Elementary School, 5935 Saul St.
The school has about 500 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Full-time nurse Gina Tohanczyn, in her first year at the school, said only about 30-some students had been vaccinated before the Feb. 3 clinic.
Solomon and Ziegler officials attribute that paltry number, in part, to a lack of transportation for some parents.
So, they organized the clinic to coincide with parent-teacher report card conferences. Sunray Drugs provided vaccines and boosters for eligible students and adults.
Tohanczyn, principal Robert Berretta, community partnership coordinator Leah Hood and the rest of the Ziegler community spread the word through ClassDojo and flyers.
Vendors on hand included the city Department of Public Health. The Boys and Girls Club, which has a site at Ziegler, provided free toys and books. Vetri Community Partnership offered cooking lessons and a food tasting. Turning Points for Children distributed hygiene bags consisting of masks, hand sanitizer and tissues.
There were also giveaways of coats, hats, socks, clothing and backpacks. ••
