Columbia Public Schools hosting vaccination clinics for children, Moderna announces vaccine highly effective in the same age group

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Multiple Columbia Public Schools are set to host vaccination clinics tomorrow targeting kids ages 12-17.

Battle High School hosted a clinic Tuesday from 9 a.m. until noon using Pfizer's Coronavirus vaccine.

Rock Bridge High School is set to host a clinic Wednesday at the same time, also using the Pfizer vaccine.

A signed permission slip from parents is required in order for a child to get vaccinated, those can be found on the district's website.

At the same time, Moderna announced Tuesday that its vaccine is safe and effective for children ages 12 to 17.

Michelle Baumstark, spokeswoman with CPS, said Moderna won't seek approval until June and until then, the district will continue to work with the Columbia/Boone County Health Department in hosting student vaccination clinics.

Public Information Specialist Sara Humm with the Columbia/Boone County Health Department said that the approval of Moderna's vaccine for the younger age group would give the department more flexibility on which shots they can use.

Humm mentioned the recent clinics at CPS, saying they were limited given that the only vaccine available currently for those in that age group is Pfizer's vaccine.

Chris Felmlee, Superintendent of Southern Boone Schools says the turnout so far for his vaccination clinics has been great.

Felmlee stressed the importance of getting vaccinated and says he's enjoyed getting to see smiling faces as vaccine rollout continues in Boone County Schools.