Mahoning County Public Health and Mercy Health have joined forces to ensure those in school districts throughout Mahoning County have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. 

"For months, we have been working diligently to build supply, meet demand and help educate our community on the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines," said Ryan Tekac, Mahoning County Health Commissioner. "There was a need for us to meet educators and students exactly where they were, and this partnership allows us to do so."

Because of the new partnership, there have already been 160 students, educators and administrators at six Mahoning County school districts vaccinated with another three districts to be completed by the end of the week.

Youngstown is using its inventory of the Pfizer vaccine and lending a number of associates to help with the distribution.

"To date, we have had the opportunity to give more than 75,000 vaccines throughout our associates and the greater community," said Missy Russo, chief operating officer, Mercy Health – Physicians. "This partnership is an extension of our mission, which remains rooted in eliminating barriers to care and, in this case, is providing vaccines directly at schools."