We, concerned and informed consent parents, humbly ask that the Sunset Beach Elementary School Vaccine Clinic be held after school hours and NOT during school hours (as currently scheduled for Friday, Nov. 19).

Having a vaccine clinic during school hours is not considering the MENTAL HEALTH of the students, which is part of the DOE’s “whole child” goals. There are a wide range of traumatic scenarios (and these kids have had 2 years of trauma already) that could happen in the case of a bad reaction when a student goes back to their classroom. Making this a topic during instructional hours also creates an environment for divisiveness, peer pressure, and bullying. Medical choices are private for a reason and should stay that way. It would make the most sense to avoid a multitude of negative scenarios and do this clinic NOT during school hours.

This particular vaccine has not been studied like the others and is something that should really happen between each family and their personal pediatrician. Everyone at this particular school has a personal pediatrician (even the lowest of incomes at our school have free healthcare) and can do this privately on their own time and own accord. We do not need this “convenience” as our principal has deemed it. 

During school hours is not the place for a very controversial and new vaccine: most of our community does not consider this a help or a convenience, but a hinderance to our children's safety and mental well-being.

Please move this vaccine clinic to after school hours.