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Efforts to keep loved ones safe, being able to have more freedom and the conveniency of the location were top reasons given by several who attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School’s (CHS) COVID Vaccine Booster Clinic. 

A total of 24 people turned out for the booster clinic designed for special workers in the Metro East on Thursday, Nov. 11 at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus in East St. Louis. 

“I don’t want to compromise my family, my coworkers or the people I come in contact with day to day,” said Latoria Sawyer, a teacher’s aide at SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start’s Belleville Center. “I also don’t want anything to stop me from getting out and going where I want to go.” 

The COVID booster clinic is a follow-up to the COVID vaccination clinic that the CHS held Sept. 10, according to CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD. 

“There are several people who have come today to get their COVID booster shot. That’s why I am here,” said Jeffries. “Our community appreciates the efforts we make to help keep them healthy and safe.” 

Booster shots were available for adults, age 65 and older, and certain at-risk individuals, age 18 and older, who previously completed their primary series with Pfizer or Moderna at least six months ago, according to CHS Interim Assistant Principal Pamela Saffore. 

“The importance of the clinic was to have the opportunity in the East St. Louis area to be fully covered from COVID by the best offerings of the healthcare system without the inconvenience of having to go to other communities,” explained Saffore. 

CHS worked in partnership with SIHF (Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation) and Touchette Regional Hospital in Centreville. 

“This clinic is extremely convenient and efficient,” said Jayme Abbott, library operations associate at the SIUE East St. Louis Center’s Learning Resource Center. “My loved ones are 65 and older and have health issues, and by getting the booster shot I can keep everyone as safe as possible, as well as myself.” 

The SIUE Charter High School is a school-of-choice for families in the East St. Louis School District 189. The mission of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School is to prepare students who are career- and college-ready upon graduation. To achieve this mission, the school and its staff will positively impact the educational and economic lives of East St. Louis, Illinois youth through individualized instruction in core academic subjects, exploration of career interests and aptitudes, assistance in realizing students’ talents, high academic goals, and expectations that graduates will become competitive employees for the 21st century. 

Photos:
CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD, receives her COVID vaccine booster shot from Ashley McCall, SIHF medical assistant. 

Jayme Abbott, library operations associate at the SIUE East St. Louis Center’s Learning Resource Center, takes a shot in the arm. 

CHS Interim Assistant Principal Pamela Saffore helped coordinate the COVID vaccine booster clinic.