Students, staff and community members over 12 years old lined up at Hoover High School on Wednesday to receive their first, second or booster COVID-19 vaccines inside of the school’s newly renovated theatre.
Hoover High junior Angie Quintero came with her mother to the event. Each of them got their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
“I was supposed to get it eventually because if not, I think students are going to have to go back to online. Honestly I don't do great online so I decided to get it,” Quintero said, referencing the COVID-19 vaccination deadline for San Diego Unified School District.
A federal appeals court granted an emergency injunction against the mandate Sunday, but the district believes it will be overturned soon.
Wednesday’s vaccination clinic happened inside Hoover's newly renovated theater and was done in partnership with La Maestra Community Health Centers and followed up on a similar event from three weeks prior.
For school nurse Candace Gyure, providing easy access to the COVID-19 vaccine is key.
“It’s accessible right from the sidewalk on El Cajon. People walk right in, they register," she said. "There’s not a wait. They get their shot and then they’re monitored in our comfortable theatre seating for 15 minutes. And they’re good to go.”
Quintero was a bit worried before receiving her shot.
“Some people say it’s bad or it’s not going to do anything for COVID, but I’m just going to get it you know,” she said.
While anxious, she understands the safety net that the vaccine provides.
“It feels good getting vaccinated afterwards, you just feel good,” Quintero said.
Hoover High School hopes to offer other similar events in the future that also provide the COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 and older, Gyure said.
“It is a bit ironic that in our theater, this is really the type of performances we have hosted so far — our several vaccine clinics,” she said.
