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Dear Andover families and students,

We are excited to provide an update on our immunization efforts against COVID-19. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the expansion of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 12-15-year-olds on Monday, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met Wednesday to approve the expansion recommendation for this age group. Massachusetts is also on board with this expanded effort. This means that every Andover student who would like to receive at least their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine may do so this spring.

We will be offering an opportunity for Andover students 12-15 years old to get vaccinated on campus on Tuesday, May 18. A local pharmacy, Pelmeds, will be administering the vaccine to our students from 1 to 5 p.m. by appointment. Details to sign up will be sent separately by Sykes Wellness Center.

Students who receive their first dose next week will need to make arrangements on their own to receive the second dose over the summer, if possible. If this is not possible, we will make arrangements to have those students complete their vaccination upon arrival to campus in the fall. We believe that offering at least one dose of the vaccine now is in the best interest of the broader public health imperative, especially as COVID-19 cases continue to soar in parts of the world.

Students 16 and older, who are part of our cohort receiving the vaccine in partnership with Lawrence General Hospital, will continue as planned. Those students will receive their second dose of the vaccine on Wednesday and Thursday, May 19 and 20.

Any student who is not feeling well after receiving the vaccine has the option to access their classes remotely. In these cases, students should communicate their status with their teachers. The Sykes Wellness team will be providing information on the vaccine’s potential side-effects.

Thank you, all, for your patience and diligence as we work to steadily increase our vaccination numbers and keep our community safe and healthy. These efforts support our plans for a full return to in-person learning this fall.

Sincerely,

Raynard Kington, MD, PhD, ’24
Head of School

Amy Patel, MD
Medical Director

Phillips Academy
180 Main St.
Andover, MA 01810

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