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Dear Hotchkiss Students and Families,
With this week's FDA emergency authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 12-15, our entire student body is now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Unfortunately, there is not sufficient time in the school year for students to receive both doses while residing on campus, but we have developed some options to help support families who wish to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible.
First, we have secured enough additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine for our on-campus clinic to provide a first dose to those who are newly eligible. Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) will be set up in the Fieldhouse on May 18 for the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Parents or guardians will be responsible for scheduling the second dose of vaccine on or after June 8, 21 days after the first dose. If scheduling on June 8 is not feasible, the CDC currently recommends second doses may be scheduled up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose. The CDC has indicated if the second dose is scheduled after 6 weeks, the series does not need to be started again as it will remain effective.
Registering for Dose #1
Please see the links below to register, provide consent, and schedule an appointment. Parental registration and consent will be required for students under the age of 18. Health insurance information will be collected during the registration process. Please note registration will close on Monday, May 17 at 8 a.m. EDT.
Tuesday, May 18
Registering for Dose #2
Parents or guardians will need to complete the following steps after May 18 to schedule the second dose.
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Call the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS) at 1-833-957-1100, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT to create a VAMS account for your student.
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During the call, inform the VAMS personnel the student received their first dose as a part of a 3rd party vaccination clinic.
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Once the VAMS account is created, you will be able to schedule the second dose.
We strongly encourage families to use this on-campus clinic to minimize the exposure that leaving and returning to campus can bring to our community. We have strict protocols in place for families who wish to make their own arrangements for a first vaccine dose before the end of the school year. Please note that the School cannot offer transportation if families make their own appointments, and specific COVID protocols will be required of families who drive themselves. The round trip for vaccination will need to happen within the same day, and the driver must have a PCR test and negative result within 72 hours of picking up the student, even if vaccinated. Your child will be expected to adhere to the same precautionary rules as we have on campus (masking, distancing, avoiding exposure to others) while in transit and off-campus. Families who wish to seek their own arrangements should contact Danielle Shippey, director of health services.
We look forward to having even more vaccinated Bearcats on campus soon.
Sincerely,
Danielle Shippey, RN
Director of Health Services
Jared Zelman, MD, FACEP P'04
Medical Director
Richard H. Davis Jr.
Associate Dean of Faculty
COVID Coordinator
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