Dear Families,
As you might be aware, all New Yorkers age 5 and older can now receive a free COVID-19 vaccine. This is great news for the health and safety of your child, your family, your school community, and the whole State of New York!
In partnership with the Columbia County Department of Health some school sites are offering the first dose of Pfizer vaccinations to eligible students ages 5-11 for one day during the month of November to make it as easy as possible to stay safe.
Sites where you can get your child vaccinated against the COVID -19 virus:
- Walmart Inc #10-2097 -- 460 Fairview Ave, Hudson, NY 12534
- Hours: Sunday 10am-6pm, Monday 9am-7pm, Tuesday 6am-7pm, Wednesday-Saturday 9am-7pm
- Walgreens Co. #18978 -- 15 Coleman St, Chatham, NY 12037
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-6pm
- Hannaford #8364 -- 2967 U.s. 9 Suite 400, Valatie, NY 12184
- Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-6pm
Getting your child vaccinated is safe, confidential, and easy. Here’s what you need to know:
- COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 illness; millions of people have already been safely vaccinated in New York State.
- You do not need health insurance to get vaccinated—the vaccine is free.
- You will not need to provide proof of immigration status or a social security number to get vaccinated.
- Students ages 5-11 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or by an adult designated by the parent or guardian while receiving their vaccine.
- Vaccines are administered by trained medical professionals.
- Your school’s pop-up vaccination site will administer your student’s first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. The vaccine provider will give families the date for students to receive their second dose.
- All records and information associated with vaccination are kept strictly confidential.
- On-site interpretation will be available in multiple languages.
- While strongly recommended, vaccinations are not currently mandatory for most students. You can learn more about vaccine requirements in schools by speaking with school personnel directly.
- You are encouraged to share your student’s vaccination status with your child’s teacher and school nurse. Sharing this information will support New York State’s pandemic response and recovery efforts, and help ensure that schools and buildings remain safe places for all students and staff.
- By getting your child vaccinated, you are protecting them, your family, and your community from COVID-19 illness. Vaccinations help move our state forward, restore in-person gatherings, and improve quality of life. If you, or your student age 12 and up, or someone else you know is still in need of a vaccine, you can text the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement at 914-714-8771 and Juan Flores will call you and help you find sites offering appointments or walk-up vaccines at no cost. If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, contact the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement by texting 914-714-8771 and we will call you back. We strongly urge you to get your child vaccinated as soon as possible.