Fairfax County Public Schools have teamed with the county health department to hold coronavirus vaccinations clinics for children 12 and older as the new school year approaches and amid “substantial” community transmission in the county.
The first clinic was held Wednesday at Herndon Elementary School, with a second set for Justice High School in Falls Church from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and a third the following day from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Liberty Middle School in Clifton. No appointment is needed.
“Widespread vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community, and to keep our schools safe and healthy places for students to learn,” the school system said in an online statement.
FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand said the district is attempting to secure partnerships for more than 40 other clinics throughout the fall, WUSA-TV (Channel 9) reported.
Meanwhile, the county’s COVID-19 community transmission has reached a “substantial” level based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, prompting county officials to push vaccinations and recommend wearing masks indoors while in public, vaccinated or not.
A substantial category means a jurisdiction has had 50 to 100 cases per 100,000 people, or an 8-10% positivity rate, according to the CDC. Prince William, Loudoun and Arlington counties have the same rating, WUSA-TV reported.
“While this is a frustrating turn in events for everyone, we have the ability to make this better,” said Jeff McKay, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, WUSA reported. “The data suggests that a majority of cases are from those who are not vaccinated.”
As of Thursday, more than 691,000 county residents, or about 58% of the total population, have been fully vaccinated, according to the Fairfax County Health District.
