With the Omicron variant spreading like wildfire throughout our schools and community, vaccination has never been more crucial. However, instead of taking charge during these pivotal times, the school has failed to make a clear statement about vaccination. While the school can’t force students to get vaccinated, they should make it their utmost priority to encourage students to receive their shot. 

The vaccine clinic last Wednesday was a prime example of how the school has not fulfilled their responsibility. Leading up to the event, there was only a brief mention of the clinic in the morning announcements and an email sent out to students and parents a few days prior. Moreover, these statements were simple declarations, stating the date, time and place of the clinic along with other paperwork formalities. Not a single word of encouragement or data was present to emphasize the importance of getting vaccinated. Couldn’t they have at least created a Public Service Announcement, a poster or even a video to urge people to get vaccinated? This absence in concrete guidance by the school could lead to students being swayed by misinformation about vaccines, leading to vaccine hesitancy. Vaccination is a matter of public health and the school’s apparent hesitance to advertise its importance is a betrayal to student and public safety. 

The possibilities are endless when you think about how you can advertise and convince people to get vaccinated. When I received my first two shots last year at a clinic held by the Riley County Health Department at Pottorf Hall in CiCo Park, the experience was incredible. After every participant received their vaccine, they were given two free homemade cookies. During the 15-minute waiting period, those who were standing by were entered into a raffle drawing for a gift card to a restaurant. You could also get a free rapid COVID-19 test in exchange for a coupon to a local restaurant. 

The next vaccine clinic held by MHS is on Feb. 16. From now until then, we must make an effort to initiate those incentives, whether they are in the form of coupons, a parking raffle, gift cards etc. Furthermore, the school must make a consistent effort to make PSAs and posters linking students to reliable information about the vaccine and encouraging students to get the shot. 

The lack of authority the school has demonstrated when it comes to getting vaccinated has a harmful effect on not only student health but also gives way for misinformation. If administration doesn’t take action on this issue, vaccination rates in our school and community will continue to fall short and the safety of our students will be compromised.