FORT SMITH, Ark — As Southside and Northside High Schools went head to head on Thursday night, right outside the stadium the Arkansas Department of Health was helping in the fight against COVID-19.
Battle of Rogers Avenue is what they call the annual cross-town rivalry football game between Northside and Southside High Schools. The gates to the stadium opened just after 6 p.m. and as the stands flooded, another event was about to kick off right outside the stadium.
Fort Smith Public Schools partnered with the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Foundation of Medical Care. Earlier in the evening, 5News spoke with the Fort Smith Public Schools’ public information officer about what they were expecting to come out of Thursday night’s event.
“We hope that there’s a good turnout for people to get the shot. We’re just excited to offer not only a great atmosphere with the game but also an opportunity to protect yourself from COVID-19,” said Christina Williams with Fort Smith Schools.
The teams on the field weren’t the only ones hoping for a win. Vaccine recipients 18 and older might’ve been able to win on a $20 Arkansas scholarship scratch ticket or a gift card from Arkansas Game and Fish.
While the price and anticipation was high for vaccine turnout, it turned out to be the opposite.
Although they weren’t able to speak on the camera or give an exact number, nurses say turnout may have been low but every vaccine counts.
Misty Vasquez waited to observe the vaccine side effects and now that she waited she said it is her duty to get the shot.
“Just that the COVID cases are going up and it’s very very serious. I think people need to get vaccinated to get the world back to where it was before,” Vasquez said after finishing the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
This was the first of many local vaccine clinics listed at high school football games.
For more information about upcoming vaccine events, call 1-800-985-6030.