DHSZ and Dulwich College Suzhou expat staff get vaccinated!

A total of 303 staff (including outsourced staff members) at Dulwich International High School Suzhou and Dulwich College Suzhou received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, of which 145 were expat staff, accounting for 88.4% of the total number of expats at the two sister schools.

They took the COVID-19 vaccinations in 8 different batches, which were delivered based on informed choice. The vaccination started in March this year thanks to the arrangement and coordination of the Suzhou Education Bureau and the Suzhou Health Committee.

Ann Ng, Deputy Director of Business Administration at Dulwich College School supervised the overall vaccination procedure. She said that the school started the COVID-19 vaccination plan at the beginning of January this year, the Registrations of Interest were sent via email to all employees, and the FAQ about vaccinations was provided to all employees in a timely manner.

After receiving notice from the Suzhou Education Bureau and the Suzhou Health Committee about specific dates, Ann worked with the school nurses and volunteers to provide a bilingual description of the vaccination process and arranged an on-site translator to ensure the whole process was efficient and smooth.

“The government arrangements were extremely professional and well organized. It was pleasing that our staff were offered the opportunity to be vaccinated and the uptake from staff has been positive. Our foreign staff have been especially positive about being given the opportunity to be vaccinated and almost all staff have now had the first vaccine and are waiting for the second vaccine later this month.” said Sarah Tielman (Director).

“I found the whole process of getting my vaccination very efficient.  The clinic where we received our vaccinations was very well run and it was clear where we needed to go and what we needed to do.  Our nursing staff, along with our business deputy director, had organised everything so that the whole experience ran very smoothly.   It was all explained clearly and there was no pain at all.” said Diane Vaughan(Deputy Director).

“I was very pleased indeed to have had the opportunity for my first dose of vaccination arranged through the school and our local health committee. The process was smooth and (nearly) painless – even though I have a phobia toward injections, the staff at the vaccination centre were excellent and I felt well-looked after. I’m eager for the subsequent doses and looking forward to the increased freedom this will provide. “ said Peter Garnhum（Deputy Director – Student Life）.

“I feel incredibly fortunate at being given the opportunity to have the vaccine. The evening of the initial dose had a feeling of camaraderie as colleagues from Dulwich College Suzhou and the high school were there, it felt like a big staff trip. The medical staff were attentive, and I am extremely appreciative of the support from our school nurses.  I am truly grateful. “ said Alison Crozier (Head of Boarding) .