The push is on to get all San Diegans vaccinated before the state fully reopens in four weeks. At Mira Mesa High School, a one-day vaccination event on Tuesday targeted students, their families and community members.
It is part of an effort to make vaccines easier to get, especially for young people. More than 45,000 San Diegans 19 and under have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began, but getting shots to minors has been slow going.
While demand generally has been falling for shots, officials said they expected to do well over 500 vaccinations just at this site.
"We jumped on it right away because it’s such a cool opportunity to start to try and get back to normal," said Mira Mesa High School Principal Jeff Sabins. "To get to that place where we’re all feeling comfortable to come back to school as it really should be, as it's intended to be, so we’re fired up to see what next year is going to bring because of events like this."
Students will be back at the school in a few weeks to get the second dose. Right now, minors can only get the Pfizer vaccine. While some school sites allow parents to sign permission slips for kids aged 16 and 17, many community sites require parents to be with their kids for shots.
RELATED: About 29% Of San Diegans Ages 16, 17 Are Now Partially Vaccinated
Per San Diego Unified School District's COVID-19 dashboard Tuesday, of the nearly 54,000 students on their campuses there were eight active cases of coronavirus. Out of 9,400 staff there was one reported active case.
Currently vaccinations are open in San Diego County for those ages 12 and over, but only the Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for minors. That means kids will need to return for the second dose in a few weeks.
