Community COVID Clinic a Success

The COVID-19 vaccination clinic Parker recently hosted was the working embodiment of our school community doing its part to make the city a safer place for everyone.

For three days, a volunteer army of doctors, nurses, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, parents emeriti and 43rd Ward residents stationed themselves in and around the school’s Main Gym to orchestrate the administration of nearly 700 first-shot inoculations.

School Nurse Anne Nelson shared, “I loved the positive spirit of the clinic! The people were happy to be at school getting their families vaccinated.” School Nurse Shelby Turner said, “It was awesome to see Parker students so excited to roll up their sleeves and do their part to protect themselves and others. The gym was filled with hope and happiness—it was an honor to be a part of.”

The success of these initial efforts bodes well for future partnerships involving the school, the 43rd Ward and vaccine provider Instavaxx regarding second shots. Additionally, Parker will offer first shots Thursday, June 3 to Saturday, June 5 as a next step in this community health initiative.

“We can’t thank our host, Francis Parker School and our vaccinator, Instavaxx enough, for providing a wonderful environment in which to build confidence in our young patients,” Alderman Michele Smith said. “Thanks to Parker Principal Dan Frank for hosting, and Congressman Mike Quigley, who stopped by our clinic.”