Posted April 12, 2021
Dear School Leaders, As you may be aware, everyone in Colorado who is 16 years of age and older is currently eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. In DPS we have about 22,000 students who are age 16 years old or above and are now eligible. I am excited to let you know that DPS’ healthcare partners would like to support our students in accessing the COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible, for those who would like to get one. Please note, students are not required to get the vaccine, because we know this is an individual and personal choice. However, we encourage all in our school communities to receive the vaccine when they are able in order to increase our collective health and safety. We’ve created this webpage for students and their families with all the information they need regarding student vaccinations. To support students in accessing a COVID-19 vaccine, DPS’ health care partners have multiple ways to support DPS students and their families in signing up for a vaccine appointments: Denver HealthDenver Health is our longtime health care partner and serves thousands of DPS students every year through our School Based Health Centers. They are able to offer vaccination appointments to all eligible DPS students. DPS has shared all eligible students’ names and DPSK12.net email addresses with Denver Health. Over the next 48 hours, all eligible students will receive an email invitation from COVID_Vaccine@dhha.org to make a vaccination appointment in the next few weeks. As part of this effort, Denver Health is partnering with DPS to administer Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to eligible DPS students at six drive-up clinics over the next three weeks. The drive-up clinics will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the following dates and locations. Appointments are required.
Using the information provided in the email from COVID_Vaccine@dhha.org, eligible students can make an appointment through Denver Health in any of the clinics, regardless of home address or school of enrollment. We encourage students to select the clinic that is most convenient for them and their personal and school schedule. Additionally, participants must be able to attend both the first and second dose dates assigned to the location of their choice. Participants under the age of 18 must have a signed consent to treat form on file with Denver Health or a parent present with them at the time of the appointment. Eligible students who cannot attend one of Denver Health’s drive-up clinics can make an appointment at another Denver Health location at another date and time. All available appointment times will be visible in the Denver Health online scheduling system after they log in using the instructions in the email from COVID_Vaccine@dhha.org. Please direct students and families to this webpage or to our School Based Health Centers with any questions about vaccinations or making a vaccination appointment. Children’s Hospital ColoradoChildren’s Hospital Colorado is one of the country’s premier health care providers and a key partner providing the COVID-19 vaccine to DPS educators. They are a Pfizer-only vaccine clinic and are able to provide vaccine appointments for both eligible DPS students and their family members.
Below are the steps of how students and family members can sign up. This information will be shared with eligible students. Please also share this opportunity through Children’s Colorado and the steps with the families at your school:
Children’s Hospital Colorado requires that all individuals under the age of 18 receiving a vaccine during Phase 2 have exactly one parent or legally authorized guardian present with them to sign a physical consent form at both the first and second dose appointments. Full instructions for navigating the Children’s Colorado process can be found here. Patients and families with questions about receiving the vaccine at Children’s Colorado can review these FAQs for patient families. Questions regarding scheduling a COVID vaccine appointment can call the Children’s Colorado COVID vaccine hotline, 720-777-8889.
Other Important Information
If you have any questions about this email, please contact your Operational Superintendent. Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely, Dwight JonesInterim Superintendent