Covid-19 Update: Gov. Justice Announces West Virginia Ready to Offer Vaccines to Children Ages 12-15 at Schools upon Federal Approval

Press Release

Gov. Jim Justice joined West Virginia health leaders and other officials today for his latest daily press briefing regarding the State's COVID-19 response.
WEST VIRGINIA READY TO OFFER VACCINES TO CHILDREN AGES 12-15 AT SCHOOLS UPON FEDERAL APPROVAL
During Wednesday's briefing, Gov. Justice announced that, with the U.S. FDA and CDC expected to authorize use of the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 12-15 within the next week, officials in charge of West Virginia's vaccine distribution efforts are ready to hold vaccination clinics at schools in all 55 counties across the state as soon as this approval takes place.

"They'll have to have the permission of their guardians," Gov. Justice said. "At these clinics, we will also offer vaccines to all eligible West Virginians, including any other students, parents, and educators."

The West Virginia Department of Education estimates that there are 78,000 students ages 12-15 who are eligible for the vaccine in the state's K-12 schools.

"In the last month, we've held focus groups with teachers, parents, and students," West Virginia State Superintendent of Schools Clayton Burch said. "The interesting thing we've been able to talk about in these student roundtables is: "What does the future look like?' And it all came back to vaccinations. Each one of the students talked about the role that vaccinations will play in the future of school.

"There's one young man out there that I think had one of the best taglines for all of his underclassmen friends," Superintendent Burch continued. "This young man was a senior this year and he said, "Listen, Superintendent Burch, I'll make it very, very simple. I would tell all of my friends and peers in high school, if you don't want your senior year next year to suck, get a vaccination. Just do it.' He sent a very poignant message that even our young people are talking about the power of what these vaccinations can do for them. It didn't matter whether they were AP students, career technical education students, or students that might be in the JROTC; they all have the same message. The vaccines are the only way they see forward to get back to some normalcy and to protect themselves and their families"

NEARLY 1,000 ADDITIONAL WEST VIRGINIANS REQUEST VACCINE AFTER OUTREACH EFFORT
Gov. Justice also announced that, yesterday, all individuals registered in the West Virginia COVID-19 Vaccine Registration System were sent a message encouraging them to call the COVID-19 Vaccine Info Line (1-833-734-0965) to schedule a vaccination if they or a family member have not already done so.

As a result of this outreach effort, 973 West Virginians have called the info line to request a vaccine.

"Think about it, we went back to all those folks that had registered and asked if they had family members, or maybe if even they themselves had not scheduled their appointment, and we had 973 people call in to request the vaccine," Gov. Justice said. "So that was very successful and that'll help us a bunch."

GOV. JUSTICE COMMENDS SPECIAL NEEDS VACCINATION CLINIC IN CHARLESTON ON FRIDAY, MAY 7
Also on Wednesday, Gov. Justice commended the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority for partnering with Community Autism and Education Systems, Autism Services Center, and Bible Center Church to provide a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for West Virginians with autism and other developmental disorders.

"This is really thinking outside the box. This is good stuff. We're going to get more and more folks vaccinated," Gov. Justice said. "I want to thank the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, Health Officer Dr. Sherri Young, and all those at the Bible Center, those at the Autism Services Center, and all those that are involved in every way. Thank you so much."

The clinic is scheduled for Friday, May 7, 2021, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., at Bible Center Church in Charleston.

The clinic will provide reduced wait time, a smaller crowd size, and visual supports.

Participants can remain in their vehicle or receive the vaccine indoors in a sensory friendly environment.

Vaccines will also be made available to family members and support staff of those with developmental disorders.

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