Ligonier Valley school staff get covid vaccine; doses pending for Greater Latrobe teachers, staff

Greater Latrobe School District expects to have the majority of its staff receive the first dose of the Moderna covid-19 vaccine before the end of January.

Meanwhile, neighboring Ligonier Valley School District confirmed the better part of its staff already has been vaccinated against the virus that has disrupted in-person classes at area schools.

Greater Latrobe on Tuesday was awaiting word on whether The Medicine Shoppe pharmacy in Latrobe will have enough doses in time to vaccinate the staff Saturday, according to Assistant Superintendent Mike Porembka. If not, he anticipates the vaccinations could be administered the following weekend.

“Our staff is the most at-risk population that we have, in terms of age and other factors,” Porembka said regarding relative vulnerability to covid-19. “I think it helps to reduce the anxiety level of the folks who are receiving the vaccine.

“It’s going to boost their confidence and help them to feel a little more comfortable on the front line. I think it’s literally a shot in the arm for them.”

Superintendent Michele Dowell said plans for vaccinating staff at Belle Vernon Area School District changed with the revision of state guidelines Tuesday. The state Department of Health expanded eligibility for vaccinations to include all people 65 or older and those 16 or older who are pregnant, obese or have underlying medical conditions including cancer, chronic kidney disease, heart conditions, weakened immune systems, sickle cell disease and Type 2 diabetes.

“I am doing what I can to try and secure a clinic for those that want to receive the vaccine,” Dowell said Tuesday.

Porembka praised The Medicine Shoppe for stepping up to offer the vaccine to the Greater Latrobe staff after the pharmacy provided doses to first responders from Westmoreland County.

Lori Stripay, a Southwestern region representative from the Pennsylvania State Education Association, also was “instrumental in putting this in motion,” Porembka said.

The vaccine is not mandatory for Greater Latrobe workers. An initial survey of district staff revealed 85% were interested in receiving the vaccine, Porembka said. As of Monday, he said, 423 — or about 75% — had signed up to receive the first of two shots. That includes faculty, support staff, bus drivers, coaches and substitute teachers, Porembka said. Members of the school board and school district authority also are eligible for the shots, he said.

A second round of shots likely would be scheduled in late February.

Ligonier Valley had 182 staff members vaccinated Sunday in a similar voluntary clinic conducted by Ligonier’s LVRx Pharmacy, Superintendent Christine Oldham said. The staff who received Moderna shots included teachers, secretaries, aides, cafeteria workers, custodians, matrons, coaches and bus drivers, she said.

She expressed appreciation to the pharmacy team for “pulling the clinic together so quickly. We were so glad that we were able to get most of the staff vaccinated. Being able to provide the opportunity to be vaccinated prior to their return certainly helps to establish some peace of mind.”

Based on revised guidance from state health and education officials, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face instruction for younger children, Ligonier Valley students in grades K-6 this week will return from full-time remote instruction to in-person classes two days per week, Oldham said. That will increase to four days a week beginning Feb. 1.

Because of continuing substantial rates of covid-19 transmission in the county, Ligonier Valley students in grades 7-12 will continue learning online until at least Friday.

The Greater Latrobe School Board is expected to decide Tuesday if the district will return to in-person classes.

Porembka said district officials were quick to act when they learned last week about the chance to obtain the vaccine.

“It was a no-brainer,” he said.

“We do know the strain this has put on our families and our students,” Porembka said of the move to online instruction. “In-person instruction is best for our kids. Their mental health is as important as their academic health.”

Pharmacist Sue Schropp said The Medicine Shoppe had administered close to 400 Moderna shots to first responders and was preparing to follow through with the second round of doses required to provide maximum immunity.

“We’re moving as fast as we can,” she said. “We’re limited by space and staff. … Five retired nurses have offered their services. Once they get on board, we should have more people to help with the immunizations.”

“What a blessing it is for us,” Porembka said of the pending vaccinations. “It gives everybody a little peace of mind moving forward.”