Schuylkill County residents 12 and older can receive free COVID-19 vaccination shots at several local schools soon.

Gregory Koons, executive director of the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, said the effort called “Operation Vaccination” is “really looking to do everything we can to keep the community safe.”

Koons is a member of the Schuylkill Response, Recovery & Renewal Task Force, which is compromised of members of the community from health care, education, business leaders and others to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The Schuylkill County Commissioners formed the task force.

Koons said hospital representatives said they have ample vaccine but fewer people are getting the vaccinations now. Koons suggested having vaccinations at schools as another way to reach those who have not yet been vaccinated. Students will be returning the school and employees to the workforce, he said.

“We wanted to make it convenient,” Koons said.

He said getting the shot is becoming more important “especially with this variant that we are hearing more about,” in speaking about the delta variant. The Pfizer vaccine will be administered since it is authorized for those 12 and older. Residents can attend any of the sites. The Lehigh Valley Health Network, Rite Aid and St. Luke’s will provide the shots.

National and state data

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday fully vaccinated people should wear a mask if you reside in an area of substantial or high transmission.

A Community Profile Report by the CDC from July 15 to July 21 shows total cumulative cases as 34,248,054 and 281,722 in the last seven days, a 46.7% increase from the prior seven days. Total cumulative deaths as 607,684 and 1,561 new deaths in the last seven days for the aforementioned time period, a 9.3% increase.

The website, COVID.cdc.gov provides state and county level data. Schuylkill County is listed as having a moderate level of community transmission for the time period of July 19 to July 25, the most recent data available. Nationwide community transmission is listed as high. Nationally, 69.1 percent of adults have at least one vaccination, according to the site.

In Pennsylvania, more than 5 million people are fully vaccinated, according to the state Department of Health.

Tuesday data shows Schuylkill County having 14,899 total cases, 1,622 probable cases. In all, 413 people have died.

So far, 64,687 county residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. To date, 5,377 have had at one shot.

John Matz, Schuylkill County Emergency Management Coordinator, Tuesday encouraged residents to get the vaccine.

“The case numbers are starting to creep up,” he said.

Vaccinations are available at the following sites:

• July 30 Schuylkill Haven High School Gymnasium 4 to 6 p.m. Second dose is Aug. 20 4 to 6 p.m.

• Aug. 2 Saint Clair School District 4 to 6 p.m. Second dose is Aug. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m.

• Aug. 3 Minersville Area School District 10 to 11 a.m. Second dose Aug. 24 10 to 11 a.m.

• Aug. 4 Schuylkill County Fair, 2270 Fair Road, Schuylkill Haven 4 to 7 p.m. Second dose at Schuylkill Lehigh Valley Hospital (scheduled at your convenience)

• Aug. 10 Shenandoah Area School District Gymnasium 4 to 6 p.m. Second dose Aug. 31 4 to 6 p.m.

• Aug. 17 Second dose for Pottsville Area School District 10 to noon.