LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Parents in Lake County had mixed opinions about having their kids vaccinated in the wake of news that students 16 and older will be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine at school starting next week, according to a news release from the school district.
The optional vaccinations will start Eustis High School then rotate to schools throughout the week. It’s a partnership with the state department of health.
Kyla Lucas has a senior at Eustis High School and she offered her insight.
“I’m going to see what he wants to do, but I am going to encourage him because he has more interaction with people more than I do,” she said.
There were mixed reactions on the Lake County Schools Facebook page regarding kids 16 and over being able to get the optional vaccine.
People wrote comments such as “that’s a ‘no’ for me” and " no needles better not go near my kid.”
Alan Harris, emergency manager in nearby Seminole County says he’s aware of parents thinking twice about getting their kids vaccinated, but he also offered this perspective.
“We’ve been seeing 16 and 17-year-olds for weeks now and we’ve heard of no issues whatsoever,” Harris said.
The announcement comes days before Florida is set to expand its vaccine eligibility to include anyone 16 and older.
No appointment is necessary to get the vaccines here at the schools this week.
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Lake County School officials said Pfizer vaccines will be offered at high schools across the county beginning Monday and based on the following distribution schedule:
- Eustis High School from 3-6 p.m.
- 1st dose 4/5
- 2nd dose 4/26
- South Lake High School from 3-6 p.m.
- 1st dose 4/6
- 2nd dose 4/27
- Leesburg High School from 3-6 p.m.
- 1st dose 4/6
- 2nd dose 4/27
- Lake Minneola High School from 2-6 p.m.
- 1st dose 4/7
- 2nd dose 4/28
- Tavares High School from 3-6 p.m.
- 1st dose 4/8
- 2nd dose 4/29
Vaccines will also be offered to all school employees.
Officials said notifications were sent to employees and parents on Wednesday, along with a fact sheet about the vaccine and consent forms that must be completed beforehand and brought to the vaccination sites. Students ages 16 and 17 hoping to get vaccinated must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, the release said.
Pfizer is the only vaccine currently authorized for individuals under the age of 18. The company announced Wednesday that its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12.
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