More than 1,000 I-SS employees set to receive COVID-19 vaccine on February 24

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman

Special to Iredell Free News

With Gov. Roy Cooper’s blessing to begin vaccinating North Carolina educators next week, Iredell-Statesville Schools employees are looking forward to Wednesday, February 24.

“We are thrilled to partner with Iredell Health System to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to over 1,000 of our employees on Wednesday,” stated Boen Nutting, director of Communications and Development for I-SS. “While our district is proud of the fact that we’ve worked hard to get students back into classrooms as quickly as possible, the safety of our teachers and employees is also at the forefront of our minds. We are fortunate to live in a community where our Health Department, along with Iredell Health System, has made vaccinating educators a top priority. We’re ready to get our shots, and get back to the business of educating students.”

Over 1,000 I-SS teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians, support staff, and substitutes will stagger throughout the morning to receive the first of two shots in the parking lot at Iredell Memorial Hospital. The event will include 25 school nurses from Iredell-Statesville Schools, along with a host of other district employee volunteers.

I-SS Lead nurse Karen Kerley has been looking forward to this day.

“We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Kerley said. “We are excited to add another layer of protection for our staff and continue with a successful school year. Wednesday the 24th will be a celebration day for Iredell-Statesville Schools.”

Currently, the school district has a little over 1,300 employees who are seeking to receive the shot.

Those who do not receive the shot on February 24 will be scheduled shortly after.

In addition to I-SS employees, Iredell Health System has reached out to all K-12 entities across the county. In a letter to educators across Iredell County, Iredell Health System President and CEO John Green stated, “Thank you for all that you do for our children, the future! Our community would not succeed without great education and your safety is paramount to that ongoing success.”

The vaccine is not mandatory for I-SS employees.