(Photo courtsey of Vanessa Herb, Marketing and Communications Associate at Phoenix Union High School District)

The Phoenix Union High School District, or PXU, partnered with Albertsons and Safeway pharmacies to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to its students, staff and community. 

Through the end of September, PXU will hold vaccination sites at Metro Tech High School. Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available for attendees. Boosters are available for those who are eligible at this time. 

According to the PXU website, over 30,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been given to members of the community since January. 

No appointments are required in order to receive the vaccine. For those who are unable to drive to site locations, PXU has partnered with Lyft to provide free rides in an effort to help more members of the community receive the vaccine. 

Individuals under the age of 18 are required to bring a signed informed consent form completed by a parent or a legal guardian. The forms are available in both English and Spanish. 

“We serve a very diverse population. A lot of our students come from poverty and a lot of our students come from various backgrounds,” Richard Franco, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Phoenix Union High School District, said. “We noticed, the same with the digital divide … our families weren’t getting access in the same way that other areas were getting access to the vaccine. Our whole initiative was based around access.”

No legal documents or medical insurance need to be provided, and the vaccination is free. 

The events average around three to four hundred people each weekend, Franco said. The vaccines at each event are not limited to a certain number available. 

“We have run out because we have such a high demand, but our partners have been amazing,” Franco said. “They just go get more. It’s just a minor wait.” 

After the vaccine is administered, during the 15-minute observation period, volunteers aid in scheduling follow-up appointments where those who were vaccinated with the Pfizer of Moderna vaccine may return for their second vaccine doses. 

Since the start of the school year, the majority of volunteers are students from the PXU district. Students receive both volunteer hours and professional experience when they volunteer at the vaccine drives. 

“They are mostly Hispanic people. They want to [get vaccinated] but they are scared of the effects,” student volunteer Ariana Delgadillo, said. “They are able to ask a lot of questions. It helps them understand what is going on. They keep spreading the word to their friends who have bad perceptions of the vaccine.” 

PXU has continued to expand its initiative to help vaccinate the community. A new campaign was launched within the schools, “VAX to the MAX,” to further encourage students and staff to get vaccinated. 

Opportunities to get vaccinated are not limited to Saturdays. 

“In addition to what we do here on Saturdays, Monday through Friday we have campus vaccine sites,” Melody Bach-Hodnefield, Facilities Rental Specialist for PXU said. “Three of our campuses are offering vaccines to the general population, the community, students and parents, between 2:30 and 6 p.m.” 

Beginning in October, the Saturday vaccine distribution location will move to Alhambra High School.  

Those who are interested in receiving a vaccine but are unable to drive themselves are encouraged to call this number: (602) 764-1500. 

For more information on how to receive a vaccination through the PXU vaccine drives, visit https://www.pxu.org/BeHealthy. 

Contact the reporter at kmsharm1@asu.edu.