The City of Reading has launched a new COVID-19 vaccination initiative in partnership between Penn State Health St. Joseph and the Reading School District.
First dose walk-in vaccinations are available Friday, July 16, at Southwest Middle School Auditorium, 300 Chestnut Street, from 10-6pm. Friday, July 23, at Northwest Middle School Auditorium, 1000 Front Street, from 10-6pm. Friday, July 30, Reading High School Geigle Gymnasium, 801 N. 13th Street, from 10-6pm. Second dose is scheduled for the same locations, on Friday’s, August 6, 13, 20, 10-6pm.
“It is vital as a community that we work together to identify resources to help our students safely return to school this fall,” said Mayor Morán.
“It is a priority for our organizations to make vaccines available for any student age 12 and above who wants to be vaccinated. This a measure to protect them, our teachers, and the entire Reading community as this awful virus continues to mutate into aggressive variants.”
The clinic will provide Pfizer Vaccines to anyone 12 years of age or older. All students between the ages of 12-17 receiving their first dose must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the vaccine clinic to sign the mandated permission form. No vaccine can be administered without a parent or guardian present. Students age 18 or over do not require permission from a parent or guardian.
Joe Frank, Interim Regional President, Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center and Penn State Health stated “St. Joseph is thrilled to be partnering with Mayor Moran and the Reading School District to provide these critical life-saving vaccines to students and their families. St. Joseph is the largest healthcare provider in the City of Reading, and we have been holding vaccine clinics like these for several months to ensure anyone who wants a vaccine can get one.”
Officials say family members of a student can also attend the event and receive a vaccine if they are not vaccinated. in addition, all individuals who receive the vaccine will get a free ice cream cone on the day of the event.
“Back-to-school planning is in full swing, and we are pleased to partner with the City of Reading and Penn State Health to host vaccination clinics this summer,” Superintendent Khalid Mumin said.
“We are hopeful all of our eligible students and their families will take advantage of this great opportunity. We are also grateful for these types of ‘all-in’ community efforts, as they complement the outstanding work of our RSD Health Services Department and school nurses, who held free vaccination clinics and informational sessions throughout the pandemic.”
Organizers have also added prize incentives for students who receive the vaccine. Any student who gets the vaccine will be eligible to win “R” stickers for everyone vaccinated, enter a raffle for a backpack filled with school supplies (1 winner for every 50 vaccinations)
Those who complete their second dose are eligible for additional prizes, including entering a raffle for family passes to Dorney Park, and enter a raffle for laptop/iPad, 3 winners will be chose for each.
