On Wednesday, April 14, the Ellis County Health Department held a vaccination clinic for students from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. inside of Big Creek Crossing in place the old Gordman’s store.

The clinic was operated on a first-come/first-serve basis, offering doses of the Pfizer vaccine to whoever arrived first. A choice between the Pfizer vaccine or the Moderna vaccine was also available to those 18 or older.

Students had to be 16 or older, and 16- and 17-year-olds had to have a parent with them.

USD 489 Head Nurse Jessica Roe said that the clinic was an “exciting step forward.”

“Hopefully, things will look different at the start of next school year,” Roe said. “I think anyone who is interested in the vaccine should sign up to get one. They should make an informed decision based on factual data.”

Roe said that the decision is one that students should discuss with parents.

The date for the second dose of the vaccine is yet to be determined but will be announced once it is decided.