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Some school sites in Charlotte will host child vaccine clinics 

Charlotte Observer - 11/4/2021

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has at least five school parking lots it will likely use, along with health department leaders, as sites for children to get Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.

The planning comes as the district works closely with Mecklenburg health officials to coordinate access to vaccines now that children between the ages of 5 to 11 years old are eligible.

Patrick Smith, the district’s assistant superintendent of communications, told the Observer on Wednesday, that CMS will encourage families to have their children vaccinated “to protect not only their health but also to protect in-person learning in schools.”

“(The communications team will) provide information to families about vaccine awareness and access,” Smith said.

Vaccinations for children newly-eligible began Thursday in and around Charlotte. As the Observer previously reported, both Atrium and Novant health care systems, plus the county health department, and others, have begun offering appointments. The county-ran sites allow for walk-ins.

Where to get child shots now

Mecklenburg County Public Health pediatric COVID-19 vaccine locations beginning Thursday:

Appointments and walk-in spots at the county sites are available for adults needing initial COVID-19 vaccines or boosters, as well as children needed their first shot.

A full list of where to get the various vaccines in Mecklenburg County is available online at mecknc.gov/covid-19/pages/vaccine.aspx. For information or to make an appointment, call 980-314-9400.

Here’s how and when your child can get a COVID vaccine across Mecklenburg County

Free student testing

Beginning this month, CMS is offering free student diagnostic testing if they develop symptoms or are identified as a close contact to someone who tests positive. The testing requires opt-in consent, according to CMS officials.

“This testing may allow students to return to school earlier, shortening quarantine and ruling out a COVID diagnosis,” according to the communications team. “Staff will also be eligible to participate in diagnostic testing.”

COVID-19 tests at schools will be free and conducted by a lab. Results will take 24 to 48 hours to receive results and will reveal a current COVID-19 infection, regardless of whether a student has symptoms.

Unvaccinated staff continue regularly testing

Nearly 63% of CMS principals, teachers and staff self-reported they are vaccinated, according to information the district released after the first week of asking employees to voluntarily verify whether they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 in mid-September.

CMS began requesting vaccination information from its nearly 19,000 employees on Sept. 20. Unvaccinated employees are required to test for COVID-19 regularly.

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