Dear Needham Public Schools Families: I am pleased to announce that in partnership with Waltham-based pharmacy, PelMeds <https://pelmeds.com/>, the Needham Public Schools, in consultation with the Town of Needham Health Department, will host two COVID-19 vaccine clinics for Needham's young people enrolled in public or private school, one on Saturday, May 15th at Pollard <https://calendly.com/info3-2/needham-public-pollard?month=2021-05&date=2021-05-15> and a second clinic at Needham High School on Saturday, May 22nd. Follow up clinics for the second dose will also be scheduled at both locations. Many thanks to PelMeds President and Needham parent, Bhuren Patel for offering this opportunity! As you may know, yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced <https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-emergency-use> the emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine in adolescents aged 12 and up, and tomorrow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will meet to discuss and vote <https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/agenda-archive/agenda-2021-05-12-508.pdf> on additional guidance for the use of the Pfizer vaccine in young people. In a press release, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) President Lee Savio Beers, MD, "applauded the FDA’s action, calling it a “critically important step in bringing life-saving vaccines to children and adolescents. Our youngest generations have shouldered heavy burdens over the past year, and the vaccine is a hopeful sign that they will be able to begin to experience all the activities that are so important for their health and development." More information, including vaccine information and FAQs about the vaccine can be found here: American Academy of Pediatrics <https://www.aappublications.org/news/2021/05/10/fda-eua-pfizer-covid19-vaccine-adolescents-051021> . Pending the CDC's final guidance expected tomorrow, Pelmeds <https://pelmeds.com/> has *availability for any Needham youth and Boston resident students participating in the Needham METCO Program who are age 12 and up* this Saturday, May 15th in the Pollard gyms from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Please sign up here: Register child age 12 and up for COVID vaccine clinic <https://calendly.com/info3-2/needham-public-pollard?month=2021-05&date=2021-05-15>. Consent forms and other information are available when you register. Registration for the second clinic at Needham High School will be made available soon. I encourage families to register now for this important vaccine clinic. Please contact your child's pediatrician should you have any questions. Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 781-455-0400 x11203 dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school for assistance. Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子 的学校联系。 Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela de su hijo para asistencia. Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок.