Influenza Vaccine Requirement for School Attendance
Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, influenza vaccine will be required for all students. Influenza vaccine is always important to receive to reduce the risk of getting sick with influenza, reduce the severity of disease if one does get sick (including the risk of hospitalization) due to influenza, as well as preventing the spread of influenza to others.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza vaccine will be especially critical to reduce the overall impact of respiratory illness on the population, protect vulnerable populations from severe illness, and decrease the overall burden on the healthcare system.
The state Department of Public Health has extended the deadline for students to receive an influenza vaccine to Sunday, February 28.
If you have not sent in your student’s proof of immunization to the school nurses, please do so as soon as possible. You can email the document to schoolnurse@whittier.tec.ma.us , fax at 978-374-1271 or send by mail with attention to School Nurse at:
Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School
115 Amesbury Line Rd.
Haverhill MA 01830
CVS, Walgreens, and your Pediatrician’s office all offer the vaccine if your student has not yet received it. The vaccine is covered by most insurance plans. If you do not have insurance you can contact your local board of health for assistance in acquiring a no cost vaccine.
Medical and religious exemptions are allowable in the state of Massachusetts. Medical exemptions must be renewed annually and include a statement from a physician stating that the vaccine is medically contraindicated for the student and submitted to the nurse office. Religion exemption requires a written statement from a parent or guardian sent to the school nurse. See contacts above for submission.
Please contact our school nurses if you have any further questions or concerns at 978-373-4101 x 206 or 221.
Local Resources for Flu Vaccination
CVS:
https://www.cvs.com/store-locator/cvs-pharmacy-locations/flu-shots/Massachusetts/Haverhill
Haverhill
150 Lafayette Square Haverhill, MA 01832 (978) 556-5076
425 Lowell Ave. Haverhill, MA 01832 (978) 373-1234
211 Lincoln Avenue Haverhill, MA 01830 (978) 372-0291
259 Main St. Haverhill, MA 01830 (978) 374-0719
Ipswich:
114 Central St Ipswich, MA (978) 356 9198
Rowley:
Newburyport Tpke/rt 1/marketbasket Ctr Rowley, MA (978) 948-2575
Salisbury
2 Lafayette Rd. Salisbury, MA (978) 462 13 03
Walgreens
https://www.walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/seasonal-flu.jsp
Haverhill
310 S Main St (978) 521-4671
800 River St (978) 521-0618
68 S Main St (978) 373-0292
Amesbury:
15 Haverhill Rd, Amesbury, MA (978) 834-0014
Newburyport:
25 Storey Ave, Newburyport, MA (978) 462-0709