Whether or not students who are 16 or older will receive the COVID-19 vaccine is completely up to parents, many districts say, and for some, the thought of students getting vaccinated is still on the back burner.
Many districts, such as the School Town of Highland, have not been particularly focused on the vaccination of students just yet.
“We really haven’t done anything about vaccinations with our 16 and up students yet,” Highland Superintendent Brian Smith said in an email. “We have been more focused on finishing getting the staff done.”
GlenEva Dunham, president of Gary Teachers Union and president of AFT Indiana, also said she believes the main focus is still on teachers. Many are in the process or have appointments scheduled now, she said, and many districts have been busy with thoughts of getting teachers and other school staff vaccinated.
“Our big push was just getting the teachers vaccinated, so they could be comfortable with going in,” Dunham said. “The children getting vaccinated, in my mind, that would probably be a parental push.”
People 16 and up have been eligible to get the vaccine since March 31, but she said many districts and families weren’t thinking that young yet.
There’s a lot to consider, she said, but ultimately, it has to be left up to the families to make the decision.
“I think there would be controversy if the schools try to tell kids to get the shot, I think it has to start from the parents … it has to start from home with these vaccines, and the reason that I’m saying that is because that’s where it started when they were little,” Dunham said. “I think the parents are going to have to initiate it, and if they need some support from the schools, maybe they can reach out to the schools.”
Michael Wells, principal of Munster High School, said he shared the Indiana State Department of Health’s announcement about residents 16 years and older being eligible with families through Munster’s school messenger service.
Gary Community School Corp, like the School Town of Munster, is also sending information to families about the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Since the introduction of COVID-19 vaccinations, we have been sharing general information about availability, locations etc. with faculty, staff, families and community stakeholders,” Paige McNulty, Gary Community School Corp. emergency manager said in an emailed statement. “There are no state mandates in place that require anyone to receive the vaccination, so we will continue to provide information as families make decisions that best suit their individual circumstances.”
Crown Point Community School Corp., too, is leaving the decision up to families.
“When it comes to vaccinations for students, Crown Point Community School Corporation is encouraging each family to decide what is best for their children,” Superintendent Todd Terrill said in an emailed statement.
While the spotlight for vaccinations still sits on teachers, Dunham said getting 16-year-olds and older to get vaccinated will likely be a collective effort.
She said it’s up to families and doctors to determine if getting vaccinated is right for the families, and the most schools should do is send information home to families.
“It’s going to be a battle, it’s not even a conversation I even thought of, we’re not even talking about that,” Dunham said. “We’re just busy trying to get teachers vaccinated … (getting students vaccinated) is a family decision that has to be made.”
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