RCPS schedules free COVID-19 vaccines for staff

RCPS Superintendent Terry Oatts received a COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, March 8

CONYERS, GA – Rockdale County Public Schools’ (RCPS) teachers and staff are among the expanded list of Georgia residents eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as of March 8.

The school district is partnering with the Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale (GNR)Health Department to schedule free COVID-19 vaccinations for RCPS employees. The vaccination site is located at Springfield Baptist Church, 1877 Iris Drive SE, Conyers. To register, RCPS employees should look for the email with a registration link that was sent to all

RCPS Superintendent Terry Oatts led the way by receiving a COVID-19 vaccine from GNR at Springfield Baptist on Monday (March 8).

“We strongly encourage and urge all RCPS personnel to get the vaccine so our students, families and staff can be safe in their teaching and learning environments,” said Superintendent Oatts.

“I felt it was important as the leader of the school district to practice what I preach and to not only encourage our staff to get the shot but to actually lead the way with getting the shot myself. It’s understandable to have some concerns. Consult with your physician and have those questions answered. Then please do get the most accessible and nearest COVID-19 vaccine available to you.”

The vaccination process was an easy experience, Oatts added. “I feel very well. I’m accustomed to receiving vaccinations and flu shots. I really encourage all our RCPS personnel to get the vaccine. It’s essential to punctuating our safety as part of our mitigation strategies.

“There are some subgroups that have disproportionate concerns about getting the vaccine. It has a lot to do with history and many other concerns and experiences. We also know the research is clear that certain subgroups, in particular minorities, are impacted with higher hospitalization rates and the like if they contract COVID-19. I strongly urge all groups to get vaccinated. It’s impacting all of us and it’s impacting some groups disproportionately, which I think underscores the sense of urgency that we need to have in getting this vaccine.

“We’re very fortunate that in Rockdale County Public Schools we have led the way in making sure there are strong mitigation measures in place. We were fully virtual for first semester and recently returned to in-person classes on a hybrid schedule with an all-virtual option. We have mandatory mask wearing, social distancing, regular handwashing, and a rigorous cleaning protocol that is in keeping with CDC guidance. We’re very pleased that we’re the first district in the state to offer comprehensive COVID-19 testing to all of our students, staff and their families, in partnership with the Kids’-Doc-on-Wheels nonprofit. We know testing is a critically important component to a safe teaching environment. And then the vaccine really caps it all off.”

More than 1,100 RCPS employees have responded to the district-wide email and expressed interest in receiving the vaccine..

To register, RCPS employees should look for the email with a registration link that was sent to all staff members. RCPS employees and other eligible individuals can also visit www.gnrhealth.com/covid-vaccine-scheduling/ or https://myvaccinegeorgia.com/.