NYC DOE has forced schools to reopen without proper COVID safety regulations. Now that 16+ year olds are eligible to get vaccinated, the DOE MUST continue providing school clinics with vaccines and the necessary refrigeration equipment to administer them on site to students and their families who want. As companies such as Pfizer are already predicting the need for a booster shot within the year, it would behoove the DOE to consider this step as a part of a long term public health vision for school communities. 

As of now, the age groups with the highest number of COVID cases are young people. Not only are they contracting COVID, they are contracting the novel COVID variants which have not been alive long enough for scientists to fully understand their impacts on growing bodies. CBS News reported on April 1st, 2021 “In New York City to date, people between 18 and 44 are getting COVID-19 at a rate of 514.8 cases per 100,000 people.”  Considering school clinics are already equipped with many other vaccines and nurses who know how to administer them, this should not be a burdensome task for clinics if they are given the necessary equipment, staffing and time. Additionally communities like the Bronx have low rates of vaccination. By providing vaccines in schools, DOE could simultaneously begin an educational initiative to inform families of why vaccination is trustworthy and important with tables outside of school notifying families of the opportunity. 

We demand NYC Public Schools to receive COVID19 vaccines and the necessary refrigeration equipment before May 1st to end the 4th wave disproportionately harming the young people of our city.