Minnesota has begun its “Vax to School” campaign to try to get students and families fully vaccinated against COVID before the start of the school year. To kick off the campaign, the Minnesota Department of Health partnered with teachers across Minnesota to make a “Vax to School” video.
In the video, Apple Valley High School teacher Adi Penugonda said that if students want a “chance” at a “normal school year” they need to get vaccinated against COVID. He went on to say that the vaccine takes a few weeks to “get to that fully effective state” and encouraged students to get vaccinated quickly. Emily Thomas from Rosemount High School said that she encourages “all students to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
As was reported by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, the “Vax to School” campaign will be highlighting the voices of educators and parents as well as doctors on the efficacy and safety of the COVID vaccine. Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan said that, for Minnesota kids going back to school, “getting them vaccinated is the best way to keep them safe.”
Governor Tim Walz said in a statement, “In-person learning is critical to a child’s well-being and academic success. Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep our students healthy, keep our educators and families safe, and prevent the virus from spreading in our communities.”
Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcom said this about the campaign: “The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for those 12 and older. We know this disease can be severe even in younger people. Even if it is mild, we don’t want to see our kids miss any more school or social activities due to a disease that can be prevented.”
Walz’s office says that only about one-third of children ages 12 to 15 and under half of those aged 16 and 17 have gotten the COVID vaccine so far. According to Minnesota COVID data, 3 children from the ages of 0 to 19 have died from COVID out of the over 100,000 cases reported.
– – –
Hayley Tschetter is a reporter with The Minnesota Sun | Star News Network and The College Fix. She graduated with a degree in Communications from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. Send news tips to [email protected].
