PA Department of Health Information

Vaccines are safe and effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illness.

Teachers are currently listed under Phase 1A.

• PSEA Vaccine Information and Resources
• Overall information
• Testing information
• Contact Tracing
• COVID-19 Data
• Vaccine Distribution Map
• School Community Resources and Guidance

For questions, call the PA Health Hotline at 1-877-724-3258.
Consider downloading the Covid Alert PA App

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COVID Vaccine Update - 2.9.2021

The Butler County Superintendent, Butler Health System, Butler Emergency Management, and Butler Commissioners are well aware of everyone’s frustrations with the inconsistency in the state with organization of vaccine administration and not having adequate supplies of vaccines.  The commissioners are trying, and have had several meetings with DOH and local entities.  The state of PA needed approximately 4-8 million vaccines for the 1A Group and have only received approximately 2.8 million vaccines so far.  PA DOH is going to be setting up a new software program to track eligibility requirements and assist with scheduling. 
 Butler Hospital is still working on the 1A Group and has just started on age 65 and up. 
BHS is administering approx.. 1600 doses a day (1100 to 1200 at Butler Hospital and the rest at Clarion Hospital). 
https://www.butlerhealthsystem.org/CoronaVirus/COVID19-Vaccine-Scheduling.aspx
 While it may look like Allegheny County is vaccinating teachers, they said it is only those teachers that meet criteria under the 1A Group (example 65 and older, therapist, etc).  Butler County (Butler Health System) has just opened up to 65 and older, but has not been able to specifically set this up with school districts.  They also just had to get new software to assist with scheduling demands, etc. 
Seneca took it upon themselves to send out a link to their 11 teachers that met that criteria and those teachers are scheduled next week at BHS. 

We will continue to provide updates as they become available.  

What You Need to Know About the COVID Vaccines
​by Dr. Garrow

Operation Warp Speed did not take shortcuts on safety to get vaccine approval.
Vaccines:
Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines:

• Target a protein in the virus
• DO NOT contain live virus so you cannot get COVID from   vaccination
• Both require 2 doses and may extend immunity possibly up to 1 year, while testing positive for the virus has shown possible immunity up to 90 days.
• Pfizer requires a 2nd dose 21 days after the first
• Moderna requires a 2nd dose 28 days after the first dose
• You should receive the same vaccine for both doses
• Side effects are usually mild and is your body’s way of showing an immune response. Some reported slightly worse side effects after the 2nd dose because of an increase in immune response.
• No human tissue was used in the making of this vaccine.
• Both vaccines are preservative free.
• The only contraindication to getting the vaccine is if you have a severe reaction to the first dose of the vaccine or are allergic to the ingredients.
• Government is paying for the vaccine but insurance may be billed. There should be no out of pocket expense.

​ Q&A:

• If I tested positive for the virus should I still get the vaccine? * YES * The only delay should be if you are still experiencing symptoms or were treated with convalescent plasma or had an antibody treatment. You should then wait until 90 days after treatment.
  
• How effective are the vaccines? * Both are highly effective after the second dose for prevention of acquiring the virus.
  
• Do I still need to mask after receiving the vaccine? * YES * Receiving both doses of the vaccine only protects our body from getting sick on the inside but it does NOT protect others from the virus. We can still carry the virus in our nasal passages and respiratory system and be contagious even without symptoms.
  
• Does it change your DNA or cause infertility in young women? * NO * The vaccine has messenger RNA and is very unique to that disease. It does not affect the DNA of your cells * There is no link to infertility or miscarriage.
  
• If I have had or am currently undergoing treatment for cancer or have another autoimmune disease can I still get the vaccine? * Yes, since there is no live virus in the vaccine it is safe. Long term effects of the vaccine are unknown at the current time.
  
• If I am pregnant or breastfeeding can I get the vaccine?    * Yes, the benefits outweigh the risks.
  
• After I am fully vaccinated but come into contact with an infected person will I still need to quarantine? * At this time it is recommended that you still quarantine after exposure to a COVID positive person per the CDC recommendations.
  
• What age groups do the vaccines cover? * Currently the Pfizer vaccine is approved for ages 16 and older * The Moderna vaccine is approved for 18 and older.

COVID Reflief Fund Allocations

Mars Area School DIstrict is expected to receive over $500,000 in Federal Relief Fuding through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. 

​​Read More:  ESSER II Fund Allocations