Hundreds Of Holmdel, Hazlet School Staff Set To Receive COVID Vax

HOLMDEL, NJ - Thanks to a new program executed by the Visiting Nurses Association of New Jersey, staff at Holmdel and Hazlet schools have been able to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. According to a news release, the program offered inoculations to all Holmdel educators, administrators and staff.

Holmdel began vaccinations on March 8 at multiple Monmouth County vaccination sites, including Bell Works in Holmdel. To date, 150 members of the school district have signed up for the program and over 90 staff members have already received the vaccine. Read more: Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Site List In Monmouth County

“As part of our school district’s reopening plan, we made it a priority to find a way to offer the COVID-19 vaccine to the educators, administrators, and staff who want it, and to get it to them as quickly and as efficiently as possible. The partnership with the Visiting Nurses of New Jersey provides our District with just that opportunity.” Interim Superintendent Dr. Lee Seitz said in a statement. “We are thrilled that our teachers, administrators and support staff are taking advantage of this opportunity to get vaccinated. The willingness of our colleagues to get vaccinated is another significant step to protect the health of our staff as we battle the pandemic.”

Gov. Phil Murphy opened vaccine eligibility to teachers, day care workers and staff on March 15. Read more: More NJ COVID Vaccine Expansion: Clergy, Food Workers

The Hazlet school district’s partnership with the VNA similarly offered all staff a chance to get a shot in the arm at the Bell Labs site. To date, 180 staff members from Hazlet have been scheduled for appointments.

In a video update posted on March 12, Hazlet Superintendent of Schools Dr. Scott Ridley called the vaccination program a “success” - however, he added that, despite increased vaccination efforts, the school district community must remain vigilant in its fight against the spread of COVID-19, as over 40 students were placed in quarantine last week due to 18 new COVID-19 cases. Another 15 cases were reported on March 16.

“Please be cautious with your recreational and social activities, and please inform the district if your child tests positive so that contact tracing can be performed and we can continue to do our best to keep everyone safe,” Ridley said.

In a statement, Sen. Declan O’Scanlon (R-13) said the VNA partnership with schools has already vaccinated 2,100 educators in less than one month. At the current pace, the official claims Monmouth County can get “back to normal” and resume full-time classes in the area by April 1.

“Let’s be clear … overwhelming evidence indicates vaccinating teachers is not a scientific necessity to safely bring students back into the schools, but we know many of our instructors will feel more comfortable about returning to school once they have had the shots,” O’Scanlon said. It will help eliminate the staff shortages and extended quarantines that have prevented schools from returning to business as usual.”

A similar program has been established in the region for seniors to get vaccinated. Related: Hazlet Seniors Eligible For COVID-19 Vaccine 'Priority' List