Long lines and finding appointments for the COVID-19 vaccination have made the process for receiving the vaccine in Pennsylvania difficult. These conditions, along with the substantial demand for the vaccines, have caused a significant delay in the process of vaccinating teachers, administrators, and other staff members throughout Pennsylvania.

 Many Manheim Township teachers and staff were recently given the option of receiving the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine due to cancelled appointments or leftover vaccines. Teachers at Township who declined the offer for a vaccine have another opportunity for receiving their vaccination under phase 1B of Governor Wolf’s vaccine rollout. Phase 1B officially started on April 5 and aims to vaccinate essential workers such as first responders, postal workers, teachers, and other people who are a crucial part of the community. 

MT teachers have recently received a questionnaire regarding COVID-19 vaccination opportunities from the school district. Teachers that replied to this questionnaire interested in the opportunity were told that they should expect an email with a date for their vaccination. Notice for an available vaccine appointment could be given at any time or place, and be given to them under short notice, according to MTHS teacher Dan Reynolds. 

The opportunity to schedule an appointment for vaccinations was hard to come by for English teacher Katie Valentin, who said that “it was difficult getting an appointment. When the vaccine first became available in Pennsylvania, I went to the PA Department of Health website to try to find appointments for my parents, and it was impossible.”  

After the registration process, all three teachers agreed that receiving their vaccine was very quick, efficient, and professional. The three teachers also said that the longest part of receiving the vaccine was the fifteen minute wait afterwards to see if they had any reactions to the vaccination. 

Reynolds, Valentin, and Weller also agreed that the vaccine’s side effects had a large impact on them.  “I had a 100+ degree fever, body aches, and chills and missed two days of school,” said Weller. 

Reynolds said “I developed body aches late Friday morning and a fever Friday evening.  If my vaccination had been a day earlier, then I would have missed school.” 

Reynolds recommended that any teachers getting the vaccine should plan for two days out of school due to their bodies’ reactions to the vaccine. 

The three teachers agreed that they were comfortable with the vaccine that they were administered.  Weller said, “I believe that the best vaccine for everyone is the one that is readily available to them.” All of them also agreed that they will not be taking supplementary doses until recommended. 

“Fauci says I don’t have to [get a supplemental dose of the vaccine] and I trust Fauci,” said Reynolds.

The teachers were also very excited about what they could do now that they had received the vaccine. Valentin expressed how excited she is to see her family as well as possibly go on a vacation with her family. Weller was excited to be able to be in close proximity with her parents. Reynolds explained that he will be “satisfied” when he can see all of his students back in the classroom wearing masks.