[Superintendent's Update] Vaccine Clinics for Needham Youths

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

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 at 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.
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