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SALT LAKE CITY — Some Utah school districts will have vaccine clinics this week at their secondary schools for students and families can get a COVID-19 vaccine while they register for the upcoming school year.
The shots will be available to parents and their teens as they take certain forms to the school to finalize registration.
Ogden School District director of communications Jer Bates said it's something free and simple to do.
Bates said some Ogden families have reached out with questions about where to go, or how to sign up for a COVID dose for their tween or teen. These school clinics make it much more convenient.
"This is something that's already on the calendars of our families, and it just makes sense to provide those two opportunities at the same time."
Ogden School District vaccine clinics
The Ogden School District said any parent or student 12 or older can get the free COVID-19 vaccine. They will have pop-up clinics at:
Ben Lomond High School
Aug. 3-4, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Highland Junior High School
Aug. 3-5, noon-6 p.m.
Mound Fort Junior High School
Aug. 3, 9 a.m-3 p.m.; Aug. 4, 4-7 p.m.
Ogden High School
Aug. 3-5, 9 a.m.-noon
Salt Lake City School District vaccine clinic
The Salt Lake City School District officials said they also offered free COVID-19 vaccinations as well as other school vaccines at their schools.
The Salt Lake District held three back-to-school immunization clinics during the summer for students entering kindergarten or seventh grade who need other required vaccines to go to school. The first two were held in June and July, and their final one happened Tuesday at Northwest Middle School. At that event, the Salt Lake County Health Department offered COVID-19 shots for students, parents and the community.
School districts offered clinics at their campuses in the spring. But that was for ages 16 and up, and now anyone ages 12 and up can get the Pfizer vaccine.
Pfizer requires two doses for full efficacy, so those students who get the first dose this week will need to return in three weeks for the second dose. School starts in mid- to late August.
"Students have that reassurance that they are protected against not only catching but spreading COVID-19. And they also that additional reassurance of reducing their chance of having to miss school because of exposure, infection, quarantine," said Bates.
Bates said they respect everyone's right to choose, but they do want to educate people about the benefits and protections of vaccination.
"The more we can educate our families and our students, the more we believe people will choose to either be vaccinated or wear a face mask in school," he said.
How to prevent the spread of COVID-19
COVID-19 coronaviruses are transmitted from person to person. It is a virus that is similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
- Wear a mask.
- Don't touch your face.
- Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet)
- If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities).
- Get a flu shot.
- Get vaccinated.
