• By Todd Luck
• Posted Monday, July 12, 2021

Public Health offers COVID shots and required school vaccinations for students

The Forsyth County Department of Public Health will be offering COVID vaccines at events where it’ll also be offering the Tdap and Menactra vaccinations for 7th and 12th graders.

The vaccination events will be held Wednesday, July 14, at Northwest Middle, 5501 Murray Road, and Parkland High, 1600 Brewer Road. Appointments will be held from 2-3 p.m. for students attending summer school at those locations. Students need a parental consent form for Tdap and Menactra administration. Appointments can be made at wsfcs.k12.nc.us/vaccineclinics. Walk-ups will be taken for students and the general public from 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m.

The Tdap and Menactra shots are free for those with Medicaid, Healthy Choice, or no insurance. Students with private health insurance are encouraged to seek those immunizations from a healthcare provider. COVID vaccinations are free and available for anyone ages 12 and older.

The COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect from the spread of the virus and prevent serious illness. Only 29% of 12-17 year-olds in Forsyth County have been partially vaccinated for COVID-19 and 42% of 18-24 year-olds have received at least one dose. Unvaccinated people are more likely to spread the virus and become seriously ill with it.

COVID vaccinations and required schools vaccinations are both available at the Public Health vaccination clinic, 799 N. Highland Ave. Clinic Hours are Mon-Tues. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sat. 9-12 noon. The clinic closes for lunch from noon-1 p.m.