Husband and wife, Eric Phillips, left, and Dayna Phillips, second from right, and their children, including Detroit Public Schools Community District student, 10-year-old Jaleeah (Jolli), center, have varying vaccine positions.
Photo provided by Dayna Phillips
If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that people, especially young people, are even more resilient and brilliant during times of crisis.
From young people who are leading the way through social and political change, to now even on the health front – they are speaking up and out about the impact that the COVID-19 vaccine can bring to communities who trust in the science.
After COVID-19 vaccines were recently approved for teenagers (including soon to be 12+), the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) pulled out all the stops on Tuesday, May 11 to ensure that teens have access to receive shots in arms.
In concert with community health partners at the Detroit Health Department, Henry Ford Health System and Ascension Health, the NAACP Youth Council, and the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) student leaders announced the launch of DPSCD Teens for Vaccines that day. The initiative is to provide vaccine education and accessibility opportunities to COVID-19 vaccines for District teachers, staff, families, and eligible students (16+ and soon to be 12+).
The multifaceted campaign features online discussions, DPSCD student ambassadors spreading the good word about vaccines, and more.
“We as students welcome the opportunity to lead on what is one of the most impactful circumstances of our young lives,” said Harrison Haywood, a senior at Cass Technical High School, referring to the effects of the pandemic in a press release. “We look forward to sharing our own vaccination stories through the Teens for Vaccines program to help educate our friends and fellow students.”
Haywood spoke to the Michigan Chronicle and spoke in-depth about receiving the vaccine after his birthday in the winter, and he also encouraged his grandmother to receive the vaccine.
“I think it is really important for us to trust in our science and medical professionals,”
Haywood said, adding that one day he hopes to become one of them. “I would love for my patients to trust in me and my decisions and making recommendations for their health. I plan on going into plastic and reconstructive surgery.”
Haywood said that while his grandmother is also vaccinated, some in his household are not yet and they are looking more into it.
“I encourage people not just to take my word for it but do the research,” he said of the COVID-19 vaccine. “Instead of believing the rumors … do your own research and decide for yourself.”
Harrison’s grandmother, Loleather Newsome, said that she has underlying health issues and the COVID-19 vaccine was a way for her to walk freely through that.
“I was skeptical at first because of all the rumors,” she said. “You have to make up your own mind … I would tell people and highly recommend them to get the vaccine.”
She added that the school district’s campaign is important and necessary so that other young people might get on board.
Husband and wife, Eric and Dayna Phillips have three children, including one DPSCD student, 10-year-old Jaleeah (Jolli), who is not eligible yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The couple is both vaccinated, along with one set of their parents in their 80s.
Dayna said that their older son, 25, who is Type 1 diabetic, is vaccinated and their daughter, 30, is on the fence because she is concerned about how the vaccine could impact her reproductive organs.
They both said if Jolli could take the vaccine she would.
“From everything I’ve read, the Pfizer vaccine can treat the kids,” he said, adding that he is “extremely confident” in that vaccine for his youngest daughter. “When there is a time for Jolli to be vaccinated I would be for it.”
Dayna added that if Jolli was a teenager she would “be on board” with the vaccine because they are trying to recruit more teenagers in the school district’s student body.
“I commend our DPSCD students for the leadership they are showing by lending their voices to the Teens for Vaccines campaign,” said DPSCD Board President Angelique Peterson-Mayberry. “Their displays of courage are something for all to emulate as we seek to beat the pandemic and restore a sense of normalcy to our lives.”
In conjunction with the Detroit Health Department, the community is invited to attend the DPSCD Get the Vax Facts event, on Saturday, May 22 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Randolph Career and Technical Center 17101 Hubbell in Detroit. First dose vaccinations will be available for anyone eligible. Second dose vaccination follow-up opportunities from the event are planned for Saturday, June 12 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. also at Randolph.
Teens for Vaccines will run through the end of June and is open for all to participate.
For more information, visit detroitk12.org and follow @detroitk12 on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
About Post Author
