Mobile COVID-19 vaccination sites opened at some schools in the Bronx on Friday.
The Bronx Writing Academy is one of the four schools in the Bronx with a New York City mobile vaccine bus parked out front.
The goal is to vaccinate students 12 to 17 years old in the Bronx before summer vacation begins.
The effort was planned through a collaboration between the Department of Education, the United Federation of Teachers, the mayor's office and health care providers.
The Department of Education says that vaccines play a huge role as they get ready for the fall school year, which Mayor Bill de Blasio has said will be fully in person.
Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter said the younger age group can be leaders to get the whole city vaccinated. She also said it was crucial to make sure the effort started in the Bronx, where many communities were some of the hardest hit.
Students vaccinated on Friday will return on June 25 for their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
An anti-vaccine protest was held across the street of Friday’s event. Participants said students should not feel pressured to get the vaccine.