Starting next Tuesday, students and their families—in fact anyone who can get there--will be able to get a COVID vaccination at a local school.
The goal is to vaccinate 16 and 17 year-olds, Schoharie County Public Health Director Amy Gildemeister said Monday, but parents and families and members of the community will also be able to participate.
“What we’re trying to do is make access easier,” she said.
“More and more colleges are starting to require COVID vaccines for the fall. This is also going to allow things like concerts and sports events. Access is key.”
The county is sharing a “tray” of the Pfizer vaccine with Otsego and Putnam Counties for the school clinics and also expects to have “one and done” J & J vaccines available.
There are also some vaccines remaining from the clinic held at SUNY Cobleskill last Wednesday; the J&J is from the county clinic cancelled in April after distribution was paused over concerns it was causing blood clots in some people. Federal officials have lifted the pause.
Pfizer is the only vaccine approved for 16- and 17-year-olds and so they’ll be the first on the list for that vaccine.
In total, about 500 doses will be available.
Anyone getting a vaccine requiring two doses will need to sign up for that.
Dates for the clinics will be: May 11, Sharon Springs Central School; May 12, Cobleskill-Richmondville; May 13, Middleburgh; May 18, Schoharie; May 19, Gilboa-Conesville; and May 20, Jefferson.
Schools will notify eligible students and share the registration links for community members.
Fewer people are attending vaccination clinics at the County Office Building, Dr. Gildemeister said. Initially all slots were filled within minutes of becoming available.
“That’s a good thing. We’re glad we met that need,” she said.
“Now we’re working on increasing access. When we held a clinic in Jefferson, we heard from a lot of people who were happy it was available so close to home.”
Late Monday, the FDA said it expects to expand Pfizer eligibility for 12-15-year-olds in the next few days.
That would make all middle schoolers and high schoolers eligible.