Student Vaccine Clinics Planned At Manatee County High Schools

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — The School District of Manatee County is offering the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine to students who are 16 and older during vaccination clinics Thursday.

The district is partnering with MCR Health to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine from 4 to 7 p.m. at the county’s seven high schools:

• Bayshore High School, 5401 34th Street W, Bradenton (Register online here.)
• Braden River High School, 6545 SR 70 E, Bradenton (Register online here.)
• Lakewood Ranch High School, 5500 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton (Register online here.)
• Manatee High School, 902 33rd Street Court W, Bradenton (Register online here.)
• Parrish Community High School, 7505 Fort Hamer Road, Parrish (Register online here.)
• Palmetto High School, 1200 17th Street W, Palmetto (Register online here.)
• Southeast High School, 1200 37th Ave. E, Bradenton (Register online here.)

A parent or legal guardian must accompany each student to their appointment unless they are 18 or older. Consent forms should be printed and filled out in advance.

Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Bradenton newsletters and real-time email alerts.

There is no cost to receive the vaccine. Face coverings are required to enter each school.

Students should expect each appointment to last from 20 to 35 minutes. After receiving the vaccine, students are asked to remain for 15 minutes to watch for adverse reactions, the district said.

The second dose of the vaccine will be given May 20. A follow-up email to book the appointment will be sent to students after their first shot.

The Pfizer vaccine is the only brand approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use by 16- and 17-year-olds, receiving that approval in March. Gov. Ron DeSantis opened Pfizer vaccine eligibility in Florida to 16- and 17-year-olds starting April 5.

For more information on coronavirus vaccines in Florida, see the Florida Patch COVID-19 vaccination page.