Catholic Schools Across the U.S. Serving as Vaccination Sites for Students

As the classes ended for the academic year, Catholic schools across the United States served as vaccination sites for their communities. Partnering with local organizations to administer the vaccines, Catholic schools helped promote vaccine access to individuals 12 and older, who became eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on May 12th.

The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines to help protect against the spread of COVID-19. Although fewer children have been infected compared to adults, children can get sick from COVID-19 and spread it to others. Experts warn younger Americans who think COVID-19 may not pose a serious illness risk that the virus may still bring long-term symptoms.

Below is a highlight of just some Catholic schools that have served as vaccination sites.

California – Christian Brothers High School
Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, California hosted a Vaccination Day on May 15th. The event welcome walk-ins for their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Christian Brothers High School partnered with Equivax to administer the vaccine to the community. More than 800 doses were administered. “It was amazing —smooth, fast, easy, welcoming, beautiful! They did 100 students as we were in line!” said one parent who attended the Vaccine Day with her daughter.

llinois – Saint Viator High School
Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois has been approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health as a drive-thru COVID vaccination site. They will provide first doses of the Pfizer vaccine to those 12 years of age and older from June 10. 

Florida – Cardinal Newman High School
Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida hosted a Vaccination Day on the last day of classes in May. The school administrators worked with Walmart who supported administering vaccines to the Cardinal Newman High School community. School administrating are planning to poll families in July to hold a follow up Vaccination Day when classes resume in the fall.

New York – Notre Dame Academy
Norte Dame Academy on Staten Island in New York hosted a Vaccination Day on May 27th. With ages 12 and older now eligible, more than 50 students and some parents and siblings received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Norte Dame Academy partnered with the Office of Staten Island Brought President and the Staten Island Community Organziations Active in Disaster to bring the vaccine to the Notre Dame Academy community.

Puerto Rico – Superintendencia de Escuelas Católicas de la Arquidiócesis de San Juan
The Superintendence of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of San Juan, Puerto Rico, organized the vaccination of all thier teachers, administrators and staff. This included nearly 1,400 people. The schools coordinated with the National Guard and the Department of Education to administer the vaccines.

Utah - Juan Diego Catholic High School
Juan Diego Catholic High School in Draper, Utah hosted two vaccination clinics for students in our community and their families. The school partnered with the Salt Lake County Health Department to administer Pfizer vaccines to students. First and second dose appointments were available.