Rock Ridge staff outline Fairview pilot clinic to help students catch up on required vaccinations

District health staff told the Rock Ridge board they are discussing a pilot vaccination clinic with Fairview Health System and St. Louis County Public Health to help students who have not completed required K–12 vaccinations.

Missy (Misty) Elliott presented the update, saying the pilot would focus on two commonly needed boosters: the seventh-grade Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) booster and the meningococcal ACWY booster for older students. "Vaccines are free for all students," Elliott said, adding that insurers would be billed when a student has coverage and no one would be turned away for lack of insurance. The presentation noted Fairview would provide registered nurses to administer vaccines.

Elliott said parental consent will be required and the district will offer multiple consent options — paper, online and phone — and that getting consents was one of the hardest pieces of similar clinics, citing an earlier pilot at Roosevelt Schools. She said the district and partners were working on contract language and logistics; the group discussed a possible Dec. 19 clinic date but did not schedule or vote on an agreement.

Board members asked whether parents must be present; Elliott said parents do not need to attend in person but must provide consent. The transcript records that influenza shots might be offered in the future but were not part of this pilot because of scope constraints.

No formal action was required or taken at the meeting; the item was informational and staff asked the board to note the ongoing discussions with Fairview and public health.