Genesis' schoolyard flu shot clinic to model partnerships at most critical time

Photo from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

In a world laced with coronavirus symptoms, the need for widespread common flu vaccinations could hardly be more urgent.

And that goes especially for school communities that have always been vulnerable to flu outbreaks.

So Genesis School — a public charter school at Cleveland Avenue and 44th Street — has collaborated with the Kansas City Health Department to make a deal for Genesis’ community:

On Oct. 28, flu vaccinations will be given to students and staff in the afternoon, and then the mobile flu-shot clinic will open for the community in the parking lot after school beginning at 3 p.m.

“We are extremely grateful to the Health Department for being willing to provide the vaccinations on-site at Genesis,” said the school’s executive director, Kevin Foster.

Genesis has been holding classes in-person this fall, and the city’s willingness to bring flu vaccinations to the school will help defend against flu outbreaks that would threaten Genesis’ efforts to keep children in class.

A public health system already struggling to test all the people with coronavirus symptoms could be overwhelmed this fall if people taken ill by the flu — with symptoms similar to Covid-19 — further flood the system.

Flu shots, Foster said, will help Genesis “continue to offer in-person learning without worrying about another virus with very similar symptoms.”

The school and the health department are taking the vaccination clinic one step further, opening up opportunities for neighbors to come get shots as well.

“It means that we can do our part as a community school to contribute to the health and safety of our families, neighbors and greater school community,” Foster said.

The community clinic will be outdoors as a drive-through in front of the school, safely distanced, running from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The clinic is free.