School districts offer COVID vaccines to 12-15-year-olds
School districts prepare to offer vaccine clinic for 12-15-year-olds
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP » In anticipation of emergency approval by the FDA, Delaware County schools are now looking to offer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine clinic for their students who are 12 to 15 years old.
Officials at a number of districts, including Interboro, Penn-Delco, Garnet Valley, Haverford and Radnor, confirm they are surveying families ahead of the expected approval of the vaccine in the next few weeks.
“Pfizer has reported that approval studies have shown a high antibody response from the vaccine among 12 to 15-year-olds. Participants tolerated the vaccine well, and it offered them 100% protection against the virus,” said a notice to Haverford parents announcing the plan. The notice also advised parents they were not required to participate.
A Pfizer press release stated that participants aged 12-15 years old demonstrated 100% efficacy and robust antibody responses, exceeding those reported in trial of vaccinated 16-25 year old participants in an earlier analysis.
School districts have been working with the Delaware County Intermediate Unit and Springfield Pharmacy to provide the twodose Pfizer Vaccine to students ages 16 and older at clinics over the past few weeks.
On Monday May 3rd, 1618 year-old students at Ridley, Interboro and Chester Upland had the chance to get their first vaccine at a clinic at Ridley High School.
150 students aged 16-18 signed up for the clinic, according to Interboro Superintendent Bernadette Reiley.
Ridley Superintendent Lee Ann Wentzel was on hand Monday as volunteers prepared for the clinic at the high school.
“We’re slated to give 500 vaccines today,” Wentzel said. “It’s about a third of our eligible students. That’s better than none.”
For the 12-15 year old students she said,” We’re hoping but until the feds make their decision about doing it, we’re not there yet.”
One of the first in line at Ridley was junior Molly Day.
“It feels good, I’m happy I can protect myself and others,” Day said after getting the shot.
At a clinic at Radnor High School on April 23 for Radnor, Haverford and Marple Newtown students, 1,000 vaccines were given, said Radnor spokesman Michael Petti. Those students will get their second shots next week.
Upper Darby School District will offer the vaccines for students 16-18 year old at a clinic on Wednesday with the second shot on May 26th, said spokeswoman Aaronda Beauford.
At a recent clinic, 317 Garnet
Valley students and 212 Rose Tree Media students received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, said Garnet Valley spokeswoman Joanmarie Curtis. They will all return on May 16 for their second shot. Curtis said their data showed that approximately 16% of eligible students from Garnet Valley High School had already been vaccinated prior to the clinic.
Garnet Valley Superintendent Marc Bertando thanked the 100 volunteers from the two school districts who helped make the event a success.
“I want to give a special thanks to our parents and students who could not have been more cooperative and supportive throughout the day,” Bertrando said. “We continue to hear about vaccinations for students 12 years and older coming in
the near future, and if we receive any definitive information, I will communicate with you immediately.”
In related vaccine news, Ken Gavin the spokesman for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, reports area Catholic schools are partnering with Acme Markets (Albertson’) to offer vaccines at each school to students age 16 and older as well as any faculty and staff who have not yet received them.
The archdiocese said that a vaccine clinic for the deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing community members along with their caregivers, family members, and friends will be held Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. Kevin’s parish on West Sproul Road in Springfield. That clinic is being administered by Divine Providence Village.