STCC rolls out weekly COVID-19 vaccine clinic

STCC President John B. Cook, third from left, spoke about the vaccine clinic at STCC to faculty, staff and officials from the Springfield area on its opening day, June 24.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – When he starts his first semester at Springfield Technical Community College this fall, Nicholas Vallerie Jr. expects to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and ready to focus on getting his degree in mechanical engineering technology.

Vallerie, a 17-year-old Springfield resident, was the first person to get the Pfizer vaccine at the on-campus STCC vaccine clinic on Thursday, June 24. He was thrilled to get the shot and advises anyone not vaccinated to come to the STCC clinic, which is open to the public Thursdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

“I was excited. It’s good to finally get the vaccine and fight against the COVID disease,” Vallerie said. “It’s good that STCC is doing this, because I feel we should all get vaccinated. It’s still around, unfortunately, and we have to do everything we can to take our precautions.”

A few hours before the clinic officially opened, Dr. John B. Cook, STCC’s president, guided community leaders as well as faculty and staff on a walk-through tour of the area. Cook said he wants STCC to do its part to help make the vaccine available to everybody in the community.

STCC, as a trusted institution, serves as an ideal location for those in the Springfield area who may be hesitant to get vaccinated, including people of color and youth.

“We want to send a signal to the community that getting vaccinated is one of the best steps you can take to help all of us get beyond the pandemic,” Cook said. “We’re excited to work with our partners, including Curative, which operates the clinic, and the City of Springfield.”

I was excited. It’s good to finally get the vaccine and fight against the COVID disease. Nicholas Vallerie Jr., STCC student who will start classes this fall

Cook thanked Springfield Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, who attended the walk-through with Tony Pettaway, Director of Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response.

“In the Mason Square Area – Old Hill, Upper Hill – the vaccination rates are extremely low,” Caulton-Harris said. “That’s why having this clinic right here in the neighborhood, at STCC, is important for this neighborhood. I believe that if we give access in many places then people will take advantage of it.”

Caulton-Harris said it was important to get more younger people vaccinated, noting they have not been spared in the pandemic.

“The data last week showed that 48 percent of the positive COVID-19 cases were under the age of 30. That indicates that younger people are getting the virus. That is also the population that appears to less vaccinated. The population that STCC serves, and the residents in this neighborhood, are critical to our success in defeating COVID-19.”

Jacqueline Johnson, chief operations officer at Caring Health Center in Springfield and an STCC Foundation board member, also attended the walk-through.

“I think this is a great opportunity for folks seeking to get vaccinated on campus. It provides a great level of access, particularly for our students. Their institution, the place they trust the most, is now offering something that is so necessary in this community. It’s accessible. It’s a great facility that is very well done. I think people will greatly see a significance in getting their vaccine on campus when they come to STCC.”

Dr. Shai Butler, interim vice president of advancement and external affairs, said the STCC clinic provides an opportunity for people who may be marginalized to get free, easy access to the vaccine.

“We are hoping that communities of color will want to come out, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) communities, and take advantage of the opportunity. The college is making the vaccine accessible to all,” Butler said.

The vaccine clinic is open on Thursdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.. Enter campus on Federal Street and follow the signs to the clinic, located in Garvey Hall.

Anyone interested is encouraged to make an appointment in advance through Curative. Click here. Walk-ins will be accepted.

Anyone who gets the vaccine at the STCC clinic will be eligible for prizes which will be awarded through raffles.

• One free class at STCC (*restrictions apply)
• $50 gift cards (three raffled off each week)
• STCC-themed gift items (five winners per week)

The college joined the COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge, an effort by the White House and U.S. Department of Education to end the pandemic.

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequalled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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