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Dear District 57 Families,
I am excited to announce that District 57 will be partnering with Jewel-Osco to offer a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Westbrook School for D57 students ages 5-11. Jewel-Osco has confirmed an allocation of the Pfizer vaccine’s first and second pediatric doses for up to 300 children on Nov. 22 and Dec. 13. Appointments are required and handled through Jewel-Osco. All District 57 Families will be emailed the link to create an appointment on Wednesday, November 10, at 6 p.m.
DOSE 1:
- Monday, November 22, 2021
- Clinic Location: Westbrook School
- Appointments are available from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
DOSE 2:
- Monday, December 13, 2021
- Clinic Location: Westbrook School
- Appointments are available from 4 to 7 p.m.
Important Notes
- Children must be able to attend both dates in order to participate in this vaccination clinic.
- Only pediatric doses will be provided; there will not be an opportunity to vaccinate children 12+ or adults. Therefore, if your child is turning 12 soon, please talk to a trusted health advisor about which vaccine is best for your child. Also, talk to a trusted health advisor if your child recently tested positive for COVID.
- For space and safety purposes, we ask that only one parent or guardian accompanies each child.
- Vaccination is by appointment only; walk-ins will not be allowed. If you make an appointment for your child and later have a conflict, please go into the system to cancel your appointment to make it available to another child in our community.
- Once you schedule your child’s first appointment, you will receive an email with a link to schedule your child’s second dose appointment. Please bring that card, your child’s vaccination card, and a completed and signed consent form (you must complete and sign two consent forms, one for each appointment).
- As with older children and adults, you will have to remain in an observation area for at least 15 minutes after the vaccine is administered. The room will be set up with activities for children and information for parents about the vaccine in general and how to prepare for the second dose.
What to Bring to Your Child’s Vaccination Appointments
- Parent or guardian identification
- Proof of insurance (if you have insurance) -- but insurance is not required
- Completed and signed consent form (link to form will be provided in Wednesday’s email). Please complete and sign the form before arrival. A parent or legal guardian must sign this form. It’s important that the parent/guardian’s name is also clearly printed on the form and that the child’s birth date is correct. It is strongly advised that a parent accompanies their child; if another caregiver brings your child, they cannot complete the consent form.
Easing Anxiety
We know that some children have fears or anxiety about getting shots. So we encourage you to ask your child to pick out their favorite stuffed animal to bring with them; let them know that their animal friend will be able to get a shot, too!
The following articles give some guidance for parents about easing children’s anxiety about shots (and one key point highlighted from each):
- 12 tips for easing anxiety for kids getting vaccination shot, Chicago Tribune (“Make a plan...That might mean deciding to bring comforting or distracting items, like a favorite television show on a tablet, soothing music, a security blanket, a favorite stuffed animal or a stress ball.”)
- What Can I Do to Ease My Child's Fear of Shots?, KidsHealth (“If you're calm and relaxed, your child is more likely to be too.”)
- My Kid Is Afraid of Shots. How Can We Prepare for the Covid Vaccine?, New York Times, written by Dr. Nia Heard-Garris, a pediatrician at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. (“Help them face their fears... Reading them relevant books — like “The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor,” which depicts two little bears who must get a shot to stay healthy — can be helpful.”)
My best,
Dr. Mary Gorr
Superintendent of Schools
Mount Prospect District 57