Vaccination Appointments Coming For Deerfield Middle Schoolers

DEERFIELD, IL — In anticipation of federal health officials giving the green light for students between the ages of 12 and 15 being eligible for the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, the Patty Turner Center vaccination site will offer Deerfield middle and junior high school students shots beginning the week of May 17.

Pfizer officials announced this week that they anticipate receiving clearance for use of the vaccine among younger resident as early as next week. The Village of Deerfield has partnered with District 109 officials to secure appointment times for students at Alan B. Shepherd Middle School and Charles J. Caruso Middle School, village officials announced on Friday.

Shots will be administered by medical professionals from the Doctors Test Center at the Patty Turner Center on May 17, May 20, and May 24. The vaccination center is located at 375 Elm St. in Deerfield is and operated in a partnership with the Lake County Health Department. The site began operating on March 30 and administers about 2,000 vaccinations per week.

A registration link will be provided to parents once Pfizer receives clearance to move ahead with the vaccinations of students. A parent or guardian must accompany their student in order or the student to receive a shot, officials said. Once the first dose is administered, an appointment time for the second dose will give provided.

“We are proud to work with our community partners, allowing our families a convenient vaccination option,” District 109 Superintendent Mike Simeck said in a news release. “It’s critical we do what we can to provide peace of mind and allow our students to focus on their studies and grow as individuals.”

Following the initial three vaccination dates, parents of students throughout Lake County will be able to register online for vaccination appointments, officials said. Additional appointments will be available for booking at the Doctors Test Center website in coming weeks.

“The mass vaccination site located at the Patty Turner Center continues to be a meaningful community asset reducing the spread of COVID-19 in this region of Lake County and preventing hospitalizations among the most vulnerable,” Deerfield Mayor Dan Shapiro said in a news release. “The partnership with Deerfield Public Schools District 109 targets another key demographic and will help to ensure the entire household is able to get vaccinated.”