Elementary School Vaccine Clinics Planned In Anne Arundel County

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anne Arundel County will host coronavirus vaccine clinics for children aged 5 to 11 at 24 elementary schools, officials announced Wednesday. The operations start Monday and run through, Nov. 20.

"These plans have been in the works for months," stated George Arlotto, superintendent of Anne Arundel County Public Schools. "We are ecstatic to be able to support our partners at the Department of Health in the effort to administer vaccinations that will help keep children safe and help keep them in school."

Clinics will be open Mondays through Fridays from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. They'll also run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays.

Leaders said they chose the locations with equity in mind. They also released the appointment registration links at staggered times to accommodate families with different work schedules.

All timeslots are now ready to book at aacps.org/covidvaccines. Children will get their second dose 21 days after their first shot at the same facility. All kids must be accompanied by an adult at the immunization site.

Here is the clinic schedule:

Monday, Nov. 8

• Jacobsville Elementary School
• Odenton Elementary School

Tuesday, Nov. 9

• Glendale Elementary School
• Van Bokkelen Elementary School

Wednesday, Nov. 10

• Lothian Elementary School
• Tyler Heights Elementary School

Thursday, Nov. 11

• Cape St. Claire Elementary School
• Park Elementary School

Friday, Nov. 12

• Benfield Elementary School
• Edgewater Elementary School

Saturday, Nov. 13

• Davidsonville Elementary School
• Riviera Beach Elementary School

Monday, Nov. 15

• Glen Burnie Park Elementary School
• Tracey’s Elementary School

Tuesday, Nov. 16

• Brock Bridge Elementary School
• Crofton Elementary School

Wednesday, Nov. 17

• Bodkin Elementary School
• Hilltop Elementary School

Thursday, Nov. 18

• High Point Elementary School
• Seven Oaks Elementary School

Friday, Nov. 19

• Germantown Elementary School
• Southgate Elementary School

Saturday, Nov. 20

• Arnold Elementary School
• Folger McKinsey Elementary School

Emergency-Use Authorization

This news follows the recent emergency-use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave its clearance last Friday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on Tuesday.

The Pfizer shot previously only had full approval for residents 16 and up. The vaccine also had emergency-use authorization for adolescents aged 12 to 15. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson inoculations have emergency-use authorization for locals 18 and up.

Emergency-use authorization requires less FDA review than full approval, which is the golden stamp of support from regulators.

County Executive Steuart Pittman on Wednesday unveiled his strategy to inoculate children. Gov. Larry Hogan followed hours later with a similar push to get kids immunized.

"Vaccinating children will protect them against COVID and keep them safer in school and over the holidays," Anne Arundel County Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman said in a press release. "The vaccine is safe, free, and effective and is the same vaccine that many adults have been getting. It’s a key step in getting to our new normal."

AACPS requires staff and student-athletes to get the inoculation or submit to regular testing. The school system does not have a universal vaccine mandate, however. Masks are still required for everybody in school buildings, regardless of immunization status.

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. Download our mobile application from the App Store or Google Play.

RELATED:

• COVID Vaccine For Kids Under 12: Where To Get One In MD
• Anne Arundel Announces Plan To Vaccinate Kids 5 To 11 Years Old
• COVID-19 Booster Shot: MD Adopts CDC Guidelines, Where To Go
• Third Vaccine Doses Offered To Immunocompromised In Anne Arundel
• Anne Arundel County Shortens Quarantine For Some Students, Staff
• Get Tested, Prove Vaccination To Teach Or Play Sports At AACPS
• AACPS Requires Masks For All Regardless Of Vaccination Status

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County news.