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District, hospital to offer vaccine to students 16 and up

To date, it has been difficult for Warren County School District students to receive COVID-19 vaccine.

The state opened to Phase 2 on April 13. That meant everyone ages 16 and up was eligible.

The commonly available vaccine in Warren County is the Moderna vaccine. That brand is only approved for ages 18 and up.

So, students ages 16 and 17 still did not have easy access right away.

Warren General Hospital is working with the district to help vaccinate as many students as possible.

“The hospital reached out late last week,” Superintendent Amy Stewart said. “They have their hands on a limited number of Pfizer vaccines. They are willing to do a clinic at one of our schools.”

The Pfizer vaccine is approved for everyone ages 16 and up.

Students are not required to receive the vaccine.

“It’s not mandatory, but we are making it available for students,” Stewart said. “Students who are 18 are able to consent on their own.”

Those who are under 18 will have to have a parent or guardian sign their consent to the vaccine.

Like the clinics that resulted in many of the district’s employees receiving vaccines, the district will be in charge of confirming that the participants are indeed associated with the district – in this case students – and to make sure the proper approvals are in place.

“We have access to student ages,” Stewart said. “We’ll make sure that that’s all appropriate moving forward.”

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