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Polk Schools offering vaccines for students 12 and up next week

POLK COUNTY—Polk County High School and Polk County Middle School will be offering free COVID-19 vaccines next week for students age 12 and above. 

The schools are partnering with the Polk County Health Department to offer the vaccines with permission from parents. 

The county is administering the Pfizer vaccine for any students eligible whose parents want them. The Pfizer vaccine takes 2 doses. 

Students can receive the first dose on from 8-10 a.m. at Polk County High School or from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the middle school on Friday, May 21. The health department will determine the date of the second dose. 

School officials said on Friday that parent permission is required and parents may be present with their child during the vaccination but it is not required.

The school system announced on Thursday that vaccines would be available to students age 12 and up on Thursday and announced the date on Friday. School officials have also said students who are vaccinated will no longer have to quarantine. 

Polk County Schools Superintendent Aaron Greene said on Thursday that currently, the state mandate is still for students to wear masks indoors, whether they are vaccinated or not. 

Anyone with questions can contact their school nurse or Kathy Harding at the main office at 828-894-3051. 

Following are the links to register students for the vaccine: Polk County High School Student Registration
https://form.jotform.com/211325365488156
Polk County Middle School Student Registration
https://form.jotform.com/211325093690149