AAPS holds first COVID-19 vaccine clinics for students 5-18; more to come

Arlene Aquino is eager to get together with family this Thanksgiving for the first time since the COVID epidemic began.

And that’s a big reason she brought her daughters, Amaya and Adriana, who are in first and fourth grades at A2 Virtual, to the first day of AAPS’ COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics for students ages 5-18 years old.

“For the safety of everybody,” she said, “I think vaccines work. Hopefully this Thanksgiving, we’ll be together.”

Clinics were held at both Pioneer and Huron high schools.

Keely Hoffman, AAPS school nurse and lead COVID nurse for the district, said she was thrilled with the turnout.

“These young kids are here getting vaccinated!” she said. “It’s just another way to bring covid cases down in our community. So we’re hoping we see a dip after we get this first group vaccinated. We’re happy with the numbers here, so I’d just say: Get vaccinated. Stay healthy, and let’s keep everybody safe.”

Liz Dailey gave a thumbs up after her son Nathan, 6, a student at Eberwhite, received his vaccine.

“We want him to stay safe at school and safe at home and safe for all of our families,” she said.

AAPS vaccination clinics, hosted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), are just one of many ways for students to receive the vaccine. The Washtenaw County Health Department, pediatricians’/doctors’ offices, and local pharmacies also will have vaccines available for students.

The schedule is as follows:

A parent or guardian must accompany students 17 years of age and younger, and AAPS asks that those being vaccinated attend the clinic based on their child’s school:

• Pioneer Clinics: A2 Virtual Programs, Abbot, Allen, Bach, Bryant, Dicken, Eberwhite, Haisley, Lakewood, Lawton, Pattengill, Wines, Forsythe, Slauson, Pioneer, Pathways

• Huron Clinics: Angell, Burns Park, Carpenter, King, Logan, Mitchell, Pittsfield, Thurston, Clague, Scarlett, Tappan, AA Open, A2 STEAM, Skyline, Huron, Community

“We are just so happy to be able to offer AAPS families with these vaccination clinics for your younger students,” says Executive Director of Student and School Safety Liz Nowland-Margolis. “With a variety of options including pediatricians, pharmacies, and the Washtenaw County Health Department, we are all working together to get our students and ultimately the community vaccinated.”

Kristen Hug was eager to bring her son, Sebastian, a first grader at Burns Park, to the clinic.

“I want to protect him as much as possible,” she said.

To register a student for an upcoming clinic, go to: https://bit.ly/aapscovidvac.