More and more people are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination, including students who are 16 and older. At Des Moines Public Schools that amounts to nearly 6,000 people! The Polk County Health Department is providing the letter below to update parents and guardians on the availability of the vaccine for students, including how to sign up for an appointment. As activities and events continue to resume at school, the vaccination is a safe way for everyone to do their part to keep themselves and others healthy.

Dear Polk County Parents and Guardians:

Do you have a student 16 years and older? Students love being able to stay involved in sports, band, choir and extra-curricular activities. The best way to keep them active and still involved in these groups is to get them vaccinated against COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for individuals 16 years of age and older. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is 95% effective in preventing the COVID-19 virus with symptoms. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials.

The vaccines met FDA and CDC’s rigorous scientific standards for safety and effectiveness.

Getting your student vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way for them to stay involved in activities and to prevent being quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure. A COVID-19 vaccine allows student athletes to be able to play the entire season and helps maintain in-person learning.

Choosing to get vaccinated not only protects them from COVID-19 but it also helps to reduce family members contracting the virus as well. Having more students fully vaccinated against COVID-19 helps to protect their teachers, coaches and fellow teammates.

You can register your student for the vaccine at https://www.immunizepolk.com/. Appointments open every Thursday at noon. We have appointments available weekdays, weeknights and weekends.

Sincerely,

Helen Eddy, RPh, MBA
Polk County Health Department Director