Chicago Tribune (Sunday)

CPS aims to help teens get shots; CTU wants a goal

- Kcullotta@chicagotri­bune. com Twitter @kcullotta

By Karen Ann Cullotta

Troubled by what leaders say is a lack of a central plan, the Chicago Teachers Union wants the Board of Education to set a goal for vaccinatin­g students 16 and over before the start of the new school year.

CTU President Jesse Sharkey told the board Wednesday that while he is “not an epidemiolo­gist or public health expert,” it is critical that the school board establish a targeted student vaccine benchmark.

“I’m not suggesting I know exactly what that should be,” Sharkey said. “But I think you have to be clear and say something like, ‘CPS intends to get 90% of eligible students vaccinated as we prepare to return in the fall.’ “

With Chicagoans 16 and older now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Kenneth Fox, the chief health officer for Chicago Public Schools, said at Wednesday’s meeting that CPS is partnering with the Chicago Department of Public Health and local health care providers and recently reached out to parents with children in that age group with informatio­n about how to find a vaccine site.

“We are doing everything we can think of to encourage people to take the next step,” Fox said.

Establishi­ng a targeted student vaccine goal might also be tricky, as unlike standard childhood immunizati­ons that are mandated and tracked by the Illinois Department of Public Health, the COVID-19 vaccine for those 16 and over, while recommende­d, remains optional, Fox said, adding: “But we want to know, and we want to figure out an easier way to grab hold of that data.”

As part of the agreement between CPS and CTU that allowed high schools to reopen April 19, the school district is providing assistance to students 16 and older, and their families, in getting vaccine appointmen­ts.

But while Sharkey described officials as willing to discuss the issue, there was “no central plan,” and no goal establishe­d to drive staff activities in multiple areas, including outreach, access and transporta­tion to vaccine sites.

“CPS is a complex, large organizati­on, and organizati­ons like that are run by goals. We need a goal,” Sharkey said.

 ??  ?? Chicago Public Schools employees receive vaccinatio­ns in March at Roosevelt High School.
Chicago Public Schools employees receive vaccinatio­ns in March at Roosevelt High School.
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