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Vaccine Clinics Smaller, More Focused As Lexington Tries To 'Get Creative'

Josh James
/
WUKY

As vaccinations campaigns shift their attention to younger audiences, Lexington and the Fayette County school system are bringing the shots directly to students and their families at area high schools Tuesday. And the message is also being tailored to a new demo.

Volunteers and workers with Wild Health unpacked their supplies for a vaccination clinic inside the gym at Dunbar High School. In all, the high school-based clinics are expected to vaccinate around 1,000 students, families, and staff over the course of the day. With COVID-19 cases and quarantining on the rise in the final weeks of the school year, the recipients are also in for some caveats.

"Just because you're getting vaccinated today does not mean you throw your mask away, stop social distancing, or stop washing your hands," he advised.

Director of COVID testing for Wild Health Dr. Luke Murray also notes that recipients will be tested for the virus at the same time. The reason: Of the students who feel side effects the next day, some few dozen are likely to actually be infected with the virus. The tests are a way to differentiate.

"Because 96 percent of our tests come back the same day, they will know in the morning, 'Hey, I'm safe to go to school even if I feel a little bit off,'" Murray explained.

Smaller, more targeted vaccination clinics like these are a sign of things to come as health officials try to get creative as vaccine demand declines.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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