Post Vaccine Guidance

As a result of a significant number of District 64 students recently receiving their first and second doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine we want to share information regarding reported side effects with you. Below you will find a chart based on the Pfizer Vaccine studies with the most common side effects.

Side effects tend to last 24 - 48 hours beyond the day of administration.  

Students must stay home and get a PCR test if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:

Fever (24 hour fever/medication free before returning), new onset of moderate to severe headache, shortness of breath, new cough, sore throat, loss of taste/smell.  Vomiting or diarrhea requires a 24 hour window before returning to school. Unvaccinated/partially vaccinated siblings must also stay home until PCR results are back.

Students can attend school with the following symptoms if they feel up to it:
Chills, slight headache, fatigue, body aches.  Should these side effects be reported before school and you plan to have them attend classes, please administer any needed over-the-counter medication at home before sending them to school.  Any symptoms present beyond the 48 hour post-vaccination time period should result in a follow up with your student’s healthcare provider for potential PCR testing. 

Here is a list of local COVID-19 testing sites providing PCR tests (antigen tests are not accepted for return to school). 

Here is a chart created by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for schools pertaining specifically to vaccine reactions to help determine whether your recently vaccinated student should be at school and/or evaluated by their healthcare provider. 

Should your child need to remain home due to vaccine side effects, please make sure to report it to your school’s health office and note that it is due to recently receiving the vaccine. 

Additional COVID information in regards to our schools can be found on the District 64 website.