Broward County schools begins distribution of COVID-19 vaccine to students 16 and older at 6 locations

POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Students 16 and older are eligible to get vaccinated at Broward County schools.

On Tuesday, the vaccine distribution kicked off at six high schools.

Florida Department of Health personnel are distributing the Pfizer vaccine on a walk-up basis.

“Through our partnership with the health department, Dr. Thatchy and her staff, we are expanding opportunities for our students that are 16 or older, our staff and the student’s family members at all our high schools starting today from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.,” Broward Schools Chief Portfolio Services Officer John Sullivan said. “They’ll have the opportunity to get the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, and in exactly three weeks the department will return to administer the second dose at the same site.”

Students and their family members arrived at Deerfield Beach High School to get their COVID-19 shot, something the principal said is convenient and is thrilled to see.

“It’s a very needed service for our community,” said Principal Jon Marlow. “It provides an opportunity for more students to get vaccinated, and it allows the parents to feel at ease that the students are vaccinated. We’re trying to get more and more students here on campus, obviously, for the academic piece and for the extracurricular piece as well.”

The vaccine is 100% voluntary to those who want it.

Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent to receive the vaccine.

The vaccine is also being offered to school staff, faculty and parents of students at each school. No appointments are required.

“The relief was so tremendous when people were offered that opportunity to get vaccinated,” said Broward Teachers Union president Ana Fusco, “and now that our students are offered the opportunity if they so choose to be vaccinated, I’m sure not only for the students, or students and the parents, that they don’t have to worry about it coming back into their home, that they will be more open and understanding of coming back on campus face-to-face.”

Fusco added, “Anything that brings ease to our community and are able to get something that is in need and get done with ease and fidelity is always a plus.”

Miami-Dade Public Schools is hoping to start administering vaccines at schools by next week.

“So we’ve been in conversations with the county for a couple of weeks, with Miami-Dade government on the designation of at least three sites where vaccinations will be administered,” said M-DCPS Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.

Broward Schools offering the vaccines to high school students and their families comes as the FDA is preparing to authorize the Pfizer vaccine to adolescents ages 12 to 15 by next week.

Pfizer will also be asking the FDA for emergency use authorization to use the vaccine on even younger children ages 2 to 11 by September. Its trials in that age bracket are ongoing.

The full schedule for the schools and when the vaccines will be available can be viewed below:

The distribution will take place from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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