Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. is considering having COVID-19 vaccination events for high school students.
The school corporation recently released a survey to gauge parents’ interest.
"In an effort to reduce barriers and maximize vaccine availability for interested parents/guardians of children 16 and 17 years old, BCSC is exploring the provision of a mobile Pfizer vaccine site at Columbus East and Columbus North High Schools in the coming weeks," the school corporation wrote in a social media post.
Communications coordinator Josh Burnett said that the preliminary planned dates are April 16 and May 7 for North, and April 23 and May 14 for East. Eligible students from CSA New Tech who sign up would go through either North or East for their vaccinations.
The vaccine is not required for staff or students, and the parent survey is also optional, school officials said.
The survey, which will be live for at least a few more days, will help BCSC to determine how many nurses may need to come to both high schools.
The survey specifically gauges a parent or guardian’s interest in having their 16- or 17-year-old student vaccinated for COVID-19 during the school day. It is not a way to enroll for an actual vaccination.
The survey asks for the respondent’s name and contact information, their student’s name, their school’s name, and whether or not "I would allow my child (16 or 17 years old) to receive both doses of the Pfizer vaccine during the school day." The provided options for this question are "Yes" or "Not at this time."
The interest survey also provides a link to an Frequently Asked Questions document with information about the vaccine and links to resources from the state, Columbus Regional Health, the FDA and the CDC.
Both doses of the vaccine will be given at school, "provided the student is present both days, according to the survey.
"If the student is absent, the dose would need to be scheduled at Columbus Regional Health or another vaccine site with Pfizer," the document adds.
Hoosiers 16 years and older became eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations on March 31. As stated on the official Indiana website for vaccinations, anyone younger than age 18 must receive the Pfizer vaccine, as it is the only COVID-19 vaccine to receive Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA for that age group. According to the FDA, the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for individuals 16 years and older.
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A link to the Parent/Guardian Interest Survey is available on BCSC’s Instagram. The survey includes a link to a document that provides information about vaccinations.
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