Hundreds of Aiken County school employees got their first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Friday at Midland Valley High School, the first of six clinics scheduled for March.
Midland Valley High principal Sheldon Higgenbottom said nearly 300 people signed up ahead of the clinic, which ran from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
One of the first in line that morning was Higgenbottom himself, who said he was excited to get vaccinated and happy for MVHS to host the clinic.
“It was nice to get one step closer to not having to wear a mask, is the way I look at it. To be there for my faculty and my community, and for them to see that I’m positive about it was a big thing, because I want everybody to get back to normal as much as anybody,” Higgenbottom said.
The school district announced the vaccination opportunities for employees after South Carolina moved into phase 1b of the state’s vaccine distribution, which includes school staff along with other frontline workers.
Medical professionals from Rural Health Services administered the vaccines Friday. Rural Health is partnering with the Aiken County Public School District for the school vaccine clinics continuing during the month of March.
While waiting in line for her shot, Leavelle McCampbell Middle School principal Dr. Tiffany Hall said the vaccine will offer peace of mind for the employees at her school.
“I think it just gives reassurance that we’re going to be safe and that we can fully serve our kids five days a week,” Hall said. “And it’s really awesome that Rural Health has partnered with us, so it just speaks to Aiken, how we come together in the time of the pandemic.”
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