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BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) – Hours after seeing more cases of COVID-19 in the first three weeks of school than in the entire 2020-2021 school year The Palm Beach County School District announces vaccine and testing programs.
We note that the programs are voluntary, but can be useful in serving parts of the community that are underserved.
Here is the official announcement:
Dear parents and guardians,
The school district is pleased to announce two separate COVID-19 voluntary initiatives that aim to provide convenience and accessibility for those of you who would like to have their children tested for the coronavirus and, or, be immunized with the Pfizer-BioNTECH vaccine which is allowed for people 12 years of age and over.
As these are two separate initiatives, the information provided to you for each is separate.
Free Covid-19 rapid antigen test for district students
The district is working with the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County to offer a free rapid antigen test, COVID-19, BinaxNOW for all students in the district. The tests are offered on a first come, first served basis, without the possibility of making an appointment. Simply show up with government identification such as a U.S. or foreign government driver’s license or passport.
Driving COVID-19 test sites will offer practice tests and rapid results to help determine if your child is positive or negative for the virus. If your child is currently under a stay-at-home directive or quarantine, a negative result may be presented to your child’s school as documentation of their test status. Please note that only test results given by an approved medical facility, such as a testing site or clinic, will be accepted for back-to-school approval.
The results of a home test will NOT be accepted by the district.
The two places the district offers rapid antigen testing are:
Chuck Shaw Technical Education Center 4260 Westgate Ave. West Palm Beach, FL 334099: 00 – 19:00 September 8 – October 1, 2021.
West Technical Education Center2625 NW 16th StreetBelle Glade, FL 33430. Dates announced soon.
A parent or guardian will be asked to complete a consent form on site before the test is administered, and a parent or guardian must be present with a child under the age of 18. Locations, times, and more information about the test are available on the school district’s COVID-19 rapid test website page. The parent or guardian of a child who is tested will be contacted by the Department of Health with the results.
Free Pfizer immunizations for district students and their families
The district’s second voluntary initiative, which also begins September 8, 2021, is being offered in partnership with the Palm Beach County Health Care District.
The health care district will provide free Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to students 12 years of age and older and their families. Students aged 12 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive the vaccine. Students over 18 do not need to be accompanied by a parent. There is no possibility to make an appointment. Simply arrive at a designated vaccination site with government identification and the completed consent form.
The District Health Care Mobile Clinic will visit all district-run high schools throughout September and return three weeks later to administer the second dose of Pfizer vaccine.
For a schedule of locations and times, vaccine information, and to download District Health Care Consent Forms, visit the School District Mobile Vaccination Clinic webpage.
These campuses were selected because of their proximity to nearby colleges and elementary schools. Students from surrounding schools are invited to designated sites to receive the vaccine.
No booster shots will be given at these locations. Vaccinated people will be monitored for 15 minutes after the injection.
NOTE: Neither the COVID-19 vaccine nor COVID-19 testing is required for students or staff in the Palm Beach County School District. Both services are completely voluntary.
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