Tuesday, December 7, 2021, 4:30 - 7:00
Here’s what you need to know before you go:
- Enter through Door 5 by walking up the bus ramp, take the stairs directly to the right downstairs to the gym
 Dear Families,
We are thrilled to share that Graham Road Elementary School will be the site for pediatric vaccination clinics in December! Please review below details and consider bringing your child to our school so he/she can be vaccinated against Covid-19. For over a year and a half, we’ve had to change everything we do, how we interact with one another and abandon so many practices that we know are best for our students because of this virus. Now that vaccinations are available for our school-aged children, we have an opportunity to really get on the path to normalcy and safety so we can get back to operating school in the ways we know to be best.
If you have questions, research and ask them! The Centers for Disease Control has prepared information about vaccinating children and teens in English and Spanish. Additionally, the Fairfax County Health Department also has frequently asked questions about the vaccine for children. Click the Translate button at the top right corner of the page to view in your home language.
Many parents may be wondering given the low risk that COVID-19 poses for children, why not wait to vaccinate my child? The Fairfax County Health Department shared, “The risk of children getting severely ill from COVID-19 is lower than in adults, but it is not zero. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children now account for as many as 1 in 4 COVID-19 infections. Children with COVID-19 are at risk of getting sick, becoming hospitalized, or in some cases, dying. Children may also develop long-term illness such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) or ‘long COVID.’ Getting children fully vaccinated helps protect them from becoming seriously ill or developing long-term complications. Vaccination can also help reduce infection in families, schools, and our communities.”
As a parent myself, the approaching opportunity to vaccinate my toddler gives me peace and hope after a very long road of worry, fear and taking extreme measures to keep her safe. We hope that offering vaccinations at our school site will also provide accessibility and convenience needed for families to take this important step toward health and normalcy! Please reach out to me directly with any questions at lebadini@fcps.edu.
Lauren Badini
Principal
As we experience more consistent cold weather, please know that unless it is raining or snowing hard or we are under a Wind Chill Warning issued by the National Weather Service (wind chill temperatures fall between -5F and -20F), students will be going outside for recess. This provides opportunities for movement, mental breaks and fresh air. That said, students should be dressed to stay warm in colder temperatures. This includes a warm coat, gloves, hat, etc.
Need coats, gloves or hats for your child? We have plenty in our Family Resource Boutique. Please contact our Family Liaison, Marita Collins (mhcollins@fcps.edu or 571-226-2715) and she will get your child what he/she needs!
- Vaccines will be available for ANY child, ages 5-11. Vaccines will not be available for those 12 years and older.
- Second doses are available for children 5-11 years of age at least 21 days after receiving their first dose. However, you must bring your child's COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to receive a second dose.
- No appointment is necessary, as registration will take place on site.
- All vaccinations are free! If you have insurance, please bring a copy of your insurance card with you to the clinic. However, if you do not have health insurance, you will not be charged anything to receive the vaccine.
- Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or another responsible adult at all community vaccination sites.
There will be additional vaccine clinics at Graham Road on December 28th and January 18th. We will share more information as those dates approach so children can get their second doses of the vaccine.
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