Educators, child care providers take part in mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul
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Educator Bob Andersen, 66, stepped into a long, winding line shortly after noon Thursday.
"We’ve just been so isolated and removed from our school children and others so I’m just eager and excited to get this vaccine," he said.
While it looked like it may take a while, he moved quickly down some stairs and into a huge hall, set up as a massive clinic.
After a quick check-in, it was his turn.
And within minutes of sitting down, dose number one of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine was done.
A line forms of educators and child care providers to wait their turn for a COVID-19 vaccine at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in downtown St. Paul. [KSTP]
"It went really well, it was very organized," Andersen said.
Over the course of the next five days, 15,000 doses will go into the arms of educators and child care providers.
Once vaccinated, patients move into a separate area, a waiting room with chairs spaced apart from each other, where they would sit for 15 minutes for observation.
"I’m very excited that this is happening," said preschool teacher, Jamieson Werling.
"I feel really lucky, really fortunate and like this is going to help me be better at my job," Werling said.
Dontaijah Edwards works as a child care provider with infants and has seen COVID-19 loss firsthand.
"I have had two family members already that were older and have passed away of COVID-19, so it’s a scary thing both ways, but I’d rather be protected than sorry," she explained.
Andersen will be back in the classroom with students on Monday, and while the vaccine doesn’t make him feel invincible, he’s optimistic.
"It’s comforting, a relief, I’ll continue to be careful, but it feels nice," Andersen said.
Andersen said he is scheduled for his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in 28 days.