COVID-19 Employee Vaccinations

The advances and wonders of science have propelled a sense of hope across Canyons.

On the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canyons District wrapped up a successful two-month endeavor to inoculate educators and support staff against the novel coronavirus.

Cheers erupted at Mount Jordan Middle at about 7 p.m. when the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was given to Elizabeth Rooklidge, a school counseling student who is doing her practicum at Draper Park Middle.

Rooklidge was the last CSD employee to receive both the prime and “booster” shots of the vaccine at Canyons District COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic. Canyons has provided the service to employees every Thursday since Jan. 14.

For the vaccination initiative, at which nearly 4,000 CSD employees were vaccinated, Canyons joined Jordan, Murray, Salt Lake City, and Granite school districts on a unified plan for vaccine distribution to K-12 employees in Salt Lake County.

A limited number of vaccines were distributed each week based on age, with older employees receiving the vaccine first. On a weekly basis, via email, CSD extended invitations to eligible employees in descending age order, depending on the number of doses allotted to CSD by the Salt Lake County Health Department. 

CSD’s clinics were planned and executed by the District’s Human Resources Department with assistance from various departments and school administrators. 

“It is so exciting and I am so appreciative for the opportunity to receive the vaccine,” Rooklidge said after receiving her booster shot. “I knew it was important to keep our kids safe.”

According to District records, 91 percent of Canyons Administrators chose to receive the vaccine. Eighty-three percent of CSD’s licensed personnel received the shots, and 66 percent of eligible CSD Education Support Professionals chose to receive the vaccine at a CSD clinic. 

All tallied, 73 percent of eligible and interested Canyons employees participated in the District’s vaccination clinics. 

Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, members of the Canyons Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins, and Canyons Education Association leaders were among those who visited and celebrated the final vaccine clinic. 

The CSD COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics were held at Mount Jordan Middle, 9351 S. Mountaineer Lane.