There is pent-up demand for COVID vaccines for Bloomington-Normal children. The Unit 5 school district says the first planned clinic for kids over the age of 12 filled up in less than a day.
An email went out to parents at 4 p.m. Tuesday about the phone-in reservations. By the next morning, the clinic was booked.
More than 200 children will get their first shot of the Pfizer vaccine on May 19 at Kingsley Junior High School. Unit 5 said Thursday a second clinic has been added for May 20 for any student 12 and older. (Second doses would be delivered June 9 or June 10.)
Unit 5 does not require the vaccine, but worked with Carle Health to set up the first clinic for children under 16.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved use of the Pfizer vaccine for that age group on Monday. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gave its endorsement Wednesday.
The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) said it will begin scheduling appointments for kids ages 12 to 15 immediately at all county-run clinics where the Pfizer vaccine is available.
That includes clinics today at Illinois State University and the Grossinger Motors Arena. Appointment slots are still available and walk-ins are welcome. For more information, visit MCHD's website.
The health department encourages parents to schedule back-to-school vaccine appointments early to ensure they meet deadlines for the fall semester.
To help parents pre-plan far enough in advance, Manko said, the health department recommends they check with their school nurses for a list of required vaccines and deadline dates.
