Mass Vaccine Site Coming to STLCC-Florissant Valley

To quickly get more COVID-19 vaccinations into more peoples’ arms, St. Louis Community College is partnering with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health to conduct the county’s first community mass vaccination site at STLCC-Florissant Valley. Vaccinations will take place in the campus gymnasium, located at 3400 Pershall Road in Ferguson, at a time and date to be determined. Vaccinations are currently not available; however, when they become available, the site will quickly become operational. “This (Florissant Valley campus) will be the site of our first mass vaccination center. With this location, we are working closely with the state to get as many vaccines here in our community as possible and get this vaccination site up and running as soon as possible,” said Dr. Sam Page, St. Louis County executive. “With the vaccine, we can now talk about being on a pathway to eradicating the virus. We also must engage in communities that are underrepresented to ensure everyone has access to vaccines, and that is our commitment in St. Louis County.” STLCC Chancellor Jeff PittmanJeff L. Pittman, Ph.D., STLCC chancellor, said, “We look forward to supporting the region to getting vaccinated quickly. As Dr. Page has said many times before, widespread vaccination is the only way we are going to get through this pandemic.”

Pittman noted that the College is working closely with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health for ways that STLCC nursing and allied health students can support vaccination efforts as appropriate. Ferguson Mayor Ella Jones expressed appreciation to STLCC and Florissant Valley campus officials and staff for providing the campus as the first mass vaccine distribution site in St. Louis County. “We have seen thousands of families suffer during this pandemic. Many have lost loved ones or become very sick,” Jones said. “Our residents are afraid. They are scared. They are anxious to know when the end of this challenging and very difficult time will come. We know the vaccine will help us get past this pandemic and allow us to get back to normal.”

Individuals must have a scheduled appointment. The vaccination site is not a drive-up or drop-in location. The College will not schedule vaccines for community members, employees or students. The St. Louis County Department of Public Health will have an online scheduling system for people who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Details will be online. Vaccines will be given by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals or healthcare professionals in training, adequately licensed or with adequate oversight to vaccinate. The vaccination site will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).

Community members must follow the College’s policies for health and safety while on campus: Wear a mask or face covering, maintain a physical distance of 6-feet, and if you are sick, please do not come to campus. When the vaccination site is operational, a traffic checkpoint will be set up to direct people to the appropriate parking areas on campus. Those who have a scheduled appointment time will be greeted by intake staff who will take your temperature, verify your photo ID and complete paperwork. They will be directed to someone to give the vaccine. After the vaccine, patients will be monitored for 15-30 minutes for adverse reactions. In the event of a medical emergency, a first aid station will be in the gym. A physician and nurses will be available for minor injuries or illnesses. For more serious needs, they’ll call 9-1-1. Other STLCC campuses located in St. Louis County – Meramec, South County and Wildwood – may eventually become community vaccination sites.

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