November 15, 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The FDA and CDC have approved COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5 to 11 years old. We’d like to provide you with current information and resources about this vaccine and we encourage you to have your child vaccinated to protect themselves, your family, and the school community.
While COVID-19 is generally less serious for school-age children than for older adults, children can become infected, and some may get very sick or suffer serious complications. Children can spread COVID-19 to others. Fortunately, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for individuals ages 5 and up. The COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective against infection, serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Over 70 percent of Massachusetts youth ages 12-17 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Getting your child vaccinated will help limit COVID-19 spread in our school and community, and it can help keep your child and their schoolmates in school.
Please speak to your child’s doctor about their plans to administer the vaccine and raise any questions or concerns you have about the vaccine and your child. For further information, you may click on this link to view the COVID-19 Vaccine Roundtable Discussion with Dr. Stefan Riedel, Dr. Jeffrey Lukas and the MURSD school nurses from 10/19/21.
Memorial ES will be hosting a mobile clinic on November 23 from 4:00-8:00pm for students 5-11. A parent/guardian must be present for the vaccination.
Here is a link to sign-up for this clinic. The second clinic for the second dose is scheduled for December 14, 4:00-8:00pm.
Miscoe Hill MS will be hosting a clinic on December 2 from 8-12.
Uxbridge is also hosting a clinic on November 20. Here is a link to sign up.
Moderna Booster Clinic. Sutton Town Hall – 4 Uxbridge Road, Sutton, MA. Saturday, November 20th 1:30-4:30.
https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/southernworcester?calendar=45c1d0bb-4750-4d0c-93bf-70d311843393
VaxAbilities is hosting disability-friendly vaccine events across Massachusetts. These events will have extra staff on hand to provide skilled support to people with disabilities and/or sensory support needs. Most of these events will offer COVID vaccinations for children ages 5 and up, as well as adult initial vaccines and boosters. People with and without disabilities can get vaccinated – including the whole family ages 5+ or staff that may come supporting people with a disability.
Step 1: Sign up for one of our events Go to www.VaxAbilities.com to find dates and locations.
For more information visit: www.VaxAbilities.com
There are also hundreds of vaccination sites across the state that have indicated their willingness to vaccinate children 5 to 11. Many accept walk-in appointments, including CVS and Walgreens pharmacies, Market Basket and other grocery chains, and community health centers. More information on these sites, as well as safety information and helpful questions and answers, are all available at www.mass.gov/covidvaccine.
As a reminder:
The COVID vaccine is free for all, and no ID or insurance is needed to be vaccinated;
You can get vaccinated even if you are undocumented. Getting a vaccine will not impact your or your family’s immigration status. The Public Charge rule does NOT apply to getting the vaccine.
Getting your family vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones. We appreciate your help to keep all of our students, faculty, staff, and volunteers, as well as our community, safe and healthy this fall and all year long.
Sincerely,
MURSD School Health Team
