MANATEE COUNTY (WSNN) – Vaccine roll out is expanding from malls and fairgrounds to schools. Manatee County school district employees are getting vaccinated.
“It’s been a long time coming and I’m very grateful,” Manatee School teacher, Barb Siffermann, said.
With the help from MCR Health and State Health officials, the School district of Manatee County is providing vaccines to those 50 and older. So, music teacher, Barb Siffermann, is 53-year-old and finally qualifies to get a vaccine.
“It’s the best present for our spring break to open up spring break to have my Johnson and Johnson one and done,” Siffermann.
Saturday, the district offered about 500 single-dose, Johnson & Johnson vaccinations to district employees in the gym at Braden River High School. This is on a First come first serve basis.
“Very good, very good, very quick. Johnson and Johnson, one-shot,” Custodian, Lenton Holley said. “That’s fine with me.”
67-year-old, Lenton Holley qualified to get vaccinated earlier, but never got through the health department’s system.
“I did it quite a few times,” Holley said. “And all it is, is when I tried to call or whatever it is, they put me on hold or tell me I’ll be called, so I’ve been doing it for the last three months.”
So as soon as he found out about the walk-up vaccine clinic for school employees, he took his shot.
“One must do what one must do for us as American citizens to move on with our life,” Holley said.
Now, they’re making travel plans.
“Going to New York, going to North Carolina,” Holley said. “Even going to the beach, no problem.”
“I’m looking forward to a little bit more freedom, to be able to maybe take my mask off and visit with my friends and have a good time,” Siffermann said.
Next week, MCR Health is providing access to 3,000 Moderna, two-shot vaccinations for district employees of any age. And you must make an appointment for these shots.
