HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville High School welcomed students back for an optional vaccine clinic on Thursday, June 24.
Any student over the age of 12 who wanted to receive the vaccine could stand in line and receive the shot for free.
The clinic was held in partnership with Huntsville Hospital and Huntsville City Schools. Vaccines will not be mandatory for students entering the 2021 school year.
"We are not mandating that anyone take part in this," said Huntsville City Schools Chief Communications Officer Craig Williams. "This is purely optional. It is purely up to the student, up to the family, on whether they receive the vaccine today."
Students and parents were in line to get the Pfizer vaccine before the doors even opened. Huntsville City Schools said they wanted to make vaccines more accessible.
"We recognize that students and families, they're more comfortable with school, and so we thought what better way to invite students to receive the vaccine than doing so right here at one of our school campuses," explained Williams.
One junior high student says she wanted to get vaccinated to protect her family.
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"I want to keep my family safe and other people around me safe and not get them sick," said Khaliyah Nance.
Everyone had to register online ahead of time to reserve their spot. Kids under the age of 14 needed a guardian present to get the vaccine.
Students can get their second dose at the follow-up clinic on Thursday, July 15 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.