City sets student vaccine clinic

NEW HAVEN — What are you doing for your spring break?

If you’re among the oldest high school students in the city, it could be getting a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Initial guidance from the state Department of Education and Department of Public Health said the 33 Alliance Districts — a classification that includes New Haven — would receive doses of the vaccine for residents 16 and older to run school-based vaccine clinics.

New Haven school district officials said a student clinic would operate at Hill Regional Career High School from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 12-16 — the dates of the school district’s spring recess. The vaccine will be available by appointment only and can only include students 16 and older. Anyone under 18 will require a consent form from a parent or guardian.

City Health Director Maritza Bond said the clinic will have an allocation of 450 doses per day.

Some New Haven students said they were interested in the program.

“I am hoping to get vaccinated but I am having a hard time finding available appointments,” said Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School senior Kiana Flores, who said she and her family are looking both inside and outside of the district for appointments. “We’ve been looking for a couple of days but haven’t been able to find available appointments in any locations.”

Spencer Greene, a junior at Engineering and Science University Magnet School, said he was able to procure an appointment to get vaccinated on the day eligibility was expanded to residents 16 and older, but for May 1. He said the school-based clinic might present an opportunity.

“I would be open to getting it sooner through the New Haven clinic if I can book an appointment,” he said.

File photo Career High School