SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Fall sports practices are well underway and the start of school is just around the corner. Sylacauga City Schools will be offering free COVID vaccinations to students age 12 and older on July 26, 27, and 28, to help protect them against this illness.
In partnership with Coosa Valley Medical Center, the vaccination clinic will be held upstairs at the Central Office from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. while annual registration takes place downstairs.
“We want this school year to be as normal as possible,” said superintendent Dr. Michele Eller. “With the COVID exposure rate rising in Talladega County, we hope to encourage parents to consider having their students vaccinated so they do not miss out on another year of learning and activity.
“We respect the fact that this is a personal decision for each family. By coordinating registration with the vaccination clinic, we are trying to simplify things for those who wish to have their older children vaccinated,” Eller added.
Students will receive the Pfizer vaccine, with health care professionals from Coosa Valley Medical Center returning to Nichols-Lawson Middle and Sylacauga High three weeks later to administer the second dose.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, fully vaccinated individuals who have been exposed to COVID do not have to quarantine as long as they are asymptomatic. If a person has not been fully vaccinated and is exposed to COVID, they must complete a 10-day quarantine period.
Symptoms of COVID are fever, chills, new cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, and nausea/vomiting/diarrhea.
Eller went on to say, “There are many aspects of the school experience that make the school year meaningful for students. Last year’s seniors missed out on many important events due to the pandemic. By taking advantage of the free vaccination to students 12 and older, we can minimize those lost opportunities and ensure a great year ahead.”
