School Immunization Clinics Open
| Dear DCPS Community, This month, we are asking families to put vaccines on your back-to-school list! All DC Public Schools students must have their childhood immunizations up to date to attend school. The COVID-19 vaccine is also highly encouraged for ages 12 and up. We recognize the weeks leading up to the start of school is a busy time, so DCPS is partnering with DC Health to open pop-up immunizations clinics near you. Childhood Immunizations are Required for In-Person Learning At 20 DCPS sites across the District, public charter schools, and community health centers, any student ages 3-18 can get the required immunizations to attend school in-person. Pop-up clinics are open Monday to Saturday through the end of September. You can see a list of all DCPS clinics and their operating hours at dcpsreopenstrong.com/vaccines. If you already have an appointment scheduled with your pediatrician before the start of school, we encourage you to continue with that annual wellness visit. School clinics offer additional options for families who have had difficulties making an appointment with their child’s doctor for required immunizations. |
| You can follow these steps or call the Vaccination Call Center at 1-855-363-0333 to make an appointment: Visit vaccinate.dc.gov and click the “Pediatric Vaccination Pre-Registration” button. Complete the form provided with information about your child, including if they have health insurance. View the map of immunization clinics and select the school where you would like to make an appointment. Don’t forget to submit the Universal Health Certificate and any other immunization documents to your child’s school to guarantee they are ready for the start of school! These forms are part of the 2021-2022 school year enrollment packet. District of Columbia policies and regulations require students to submit updated immunization documentation within 20 days of the start of the school year, or they will not be able to attend until those records are received. COVID-19 Vaccine for Students Ages 12 and Older |
| If you need a COVID-19 vaccine, our school clinics will offer those, too. And if you or your child is getting their first dose, there are some special prizes available. At the Brookland, Johnson, and Sousa middle school clinics, young people will have the opportunity to receive a $51 VISA Gift card or, while supplies last, a pair of AirPods. Adults may also receive a gift card. Additionally, all vaccinated youth will be eligible to win an iPad or a $25,000 college scholarship, no matter the school site where they receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine until September 30. These school sites offering gift cards or AirPods open this Saturday, August 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The science is clear: vaccines are the single most effective tool we have for stopping the spread of the coronavirus, and we are strongly encouraging all our teachers, staff, students, families, and community members to get vaccinated. Hundreds of thousands of people have already been vaccinated in DC, and the data shows vaccinations are working. We can all help keep our students safe, keep our schools open, and protect our loved ones by getting vaccinated. Thank you for playing your part in helping our schools recover and reopen strong this fall! — DC Public Schools |