On Nov. 11, an email was sent out to parents and an announcement was posted on the Hays CISD website regarding vaccine clinics that are to be held Nov. 18 from 4-8 p.m. and Nov. 20 from 8 a.m.-noon at various schools across the district for students ages 5-11.
The clinics will be at Negley, Carpenter Hill and Tobias elementary schools Nov. 18 and at Buda and Science Hall elementary schools and Simon Middle School on Nov. 20.
The clinics come following the Food and Drug Administration's emergency-use approval the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11.
Stephanie Jamail, a parent and member of the HCISD School Health Advisory Council, spoke during public comment regarding the scientific research of the vaccine.
“Parents and children are looking to you and trusting you for guidance,” Jamail said to the board.
She said she hopes the board reconsiders the promotion of the vaccines on school campuses as they are readily available elsewhere. Jamail also asked the board to provide documentation to parents of potential risks the vaccine may have to children.
Another parent, Norma Gonzalez, also spoke out about the clinics and pleaded with the board to cancel them as well. She added that this could potentially lead to a vaccine mandate.
However, trustee President Vanessa Petrea previously clarified that there is no vaccine mandate in place at HCISD; the district is simply hosting clinics.
Some parents spoke out stating they plan on keeping their children home from school Nov. 18 in protest of the clinics.
More information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites.
