AACPS Will Vaccinate Interested Students, Staff In Their Schools

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anne Arundel County Public Schools announced Tuesday that it will offer the coronavirus vaccine to interested students and staff at 12 high schools. Patients must be 16 or older to get the shot.

"These clinics are just one more example of the incredible partnership our school system has with the Anne Arundel County Department of Health," AACPS Superintendent George Arlotto said in a press release. "We are elated to be able to provide these community settings that allow for our students and staff to have additional access and opportunities to receive a vaccination."

The clinics are scheduled for May 12, May 19 and May 26 from noon to 3 p.m. The operation will service four different schools each day.

One high school will not host the clinics. Officials did not mention which school that is.

"Partnerships like this are critical in helping our county increase our vaccination rate," Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman added in the release. "By making these vaccinations easily available for our students, the Department of Health and AACPS are helping remove a critical barrier to access, while encouraging our youth to get vaccinated as soon as possible."

The effort will use the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This immunization is authorized for residents 16 and up. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson inoculations are only available to locals 18 and older.

The sites will be open to all eligible AACPS students and employees. Patients don't have to attend or work at the school where they get their shot.

AACPS will send families the registration details. Participating schools will also hold clinics to give second doses. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine requires two shots separated by three weeks.

"This COVID-19 vaccination initiative with the school system helps to preserve and protect the well-being and education of county youth," Anne Arundel County Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman concluded in the announcement. "We’re working together to improve health equity by increasing access to vaccines for students throughout the county."

This is AACPS's second immunization push. The school system announced in January that it would set up an inoculation site at Severna Park High School. That clinic served any interested AACPS employees.

The coronavirus vaccine is not currently required for AACPS students or staff.

Visit aacounty.org/covidvax to schedule a shot or learn about the county's immunization plan.

Coronavirus Vaccine Resources

Anybody 16 or older can now get the coronavirus vaccine at providers across the state. Check out our how-to guide to learn how to sign up for the shot.

Catch up on the infection and inoculation metrics in Anne Arundel County with our most recent numbers update. Head to Patch's immunization page to keep up with Maryland's latest vaccine news.

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