Norwalk High holds COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Genesis Salas receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Norwalk High School. Her three other sisters received a dose of the vaccine on Sept. 18. (Photo by Vincent Medina)

NORWALK – Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District has partnered with the LA County Department of Public Health and Albertsons to organize a series of COVID-19 vaccine clinics at district high schools. The first COVID vaccine clinic distributed the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine “Comirnaty” at Norwalk High School on Sept. 18.

The district has additional COVID vaccine clinics planned at La Mirada High School on Sept. 25, and John Glenn High School on Oct. 2. For patients to receive their second dose of the vaccine, they can return to the school where they received their first dose after three weeks.

“We actually had the vaccine clinics last year as well,” clarified NLMUSD superintendent John Lopez. “We are having other opportunities for people to get vaccinated here in Norwalk and in La Mirada. All three of our comprehensive high schools will have the vaccine clinic.”

The district is adhering to LA County Public Health guidelines, with contact tracing when students are found to have COVID on campus and encouraging the vaccine for anyone eligible.

“The county has not shared a plan for a vaccine mandate for school districts. They did pass a resolution encouraging everyone to get a vaccine,” said Lopez.

Norwalk High School principal Dr. David Olea said that students are very responsible on campus. They obey masking rules indoors and stay socially distanced. He only recalls rare instances of reminding students to pull their masks up.

“I think that a good majority of people on campus are vaccinated,” said Olea. “Students and parents are extremely cautious. We all want the students to be safe.”

Many of the patients who received the vaccine say that they waited to receive a dose to ensure the vaccine was safe. Their hesitancy was caused in part by disputed information online and on social media.

Still, studies from the CDC continue to show that the vaccine is safe and effective against the virus.

Norwalk resident Adrian Salas took the opportunity to have his four daughters receive a dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

“My wife and I think it would be safer if they were vaccinated. We see on the news that kids are getting sick as they go back to school,” said Salas. “I have two daughters in cheer, and they’re around a lot of people.”

One of his daughters, Norwalk High School sophomore Genesis Salas, 14, was recommended to receive the vaccine from her cheer coach.

“Most of the team is vaccinated. It’s not required, but it’s recommended,” said Genesis. “Students are following the masking rules. I’m excited to be back on campus.”

The next vaccine clinic at Norwalk High School is set for Oct. 9.