COVID-19 vaccines offered at Dallas Mayor's Back to School Fair, Tarrant County Back to School Roundup

DALLAS - The annual Dallas Mayor’s Back to School Fair and Tarrant County Back to School Roundup returned Friday. Along with the school supplies, this year’s events offered quick and easy COVID-19 vaccines to anyone eligible.

With many of last year’s events scaled down because of the pandemic, event organizers this year held hybrid events with a mix of drive-thru and walk-up services. They say they’re seeing even more families in need this year. 

With the start of school just around the corner, thousands of families headed to Fair Park Friday morning for the annual Dallas Mayor’s Back to School Fair.

The event serves families in Dallas who meet income requirements and registered in advance. This year, they gave away supplies to 10,000 students. 

Mayor Eric Johnson kicked off the festivities Friday morning.

"Education is a right, and no child should be left without the supplies that they need to grow and to learn," he said. "We need our kids back learning and socializing in the classrooms. We need to help our educators, our students and our families stay safe this year."

Members of the Texas Army National Guard also helped to distribute vaccines to adults and students over the age of 12. 

"We have seen an increase in the number of vaccinations being given, particularly at our Dallas Love Field site," explained Lt. Pete Turner with the Texas Army National Guard. "There has been I think with the resurgence of media coverage and everything going on, it has helped with vaccine distribution." 

Mayor Johnson said with school starting, the shot is even more important.

"We need to end this pandemic, period. So please if by chance you are watching this at home and you are unvaccinated, I hope you will hope in your car and come on down to Fair Park," he said. "We’re going to take all comers, anyone who shows up today and wants a vaccine is going to get one."

Event organizers say they’ve seen an increase in the number of families in need. 

Keller ISD’s Back to School Bash served around 900 kids in 2019. This year, it’s more than 1,100.

"We have a lot of need given the pandemic and people not being able to get school supplies, people out of work and those kinds of things," said Leigh Cook with Keller ISD. "We know there’s a high need."

Public schools in Texas can’t require masks or vaccines, and the Texas Education Agency released new guidelines this week saying schools don’t have to do contact tracing or keep students at home who’ve come into close contact with those who are COVID-positive. 

Tarrant County also hosted its 17th annual Back to School Roundup on Friday with a hybrid format, including both indoor activities and a drive-thru option.

"It’s free," said Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley. "So please, if you have not been vaccinated, if you have a child 12 or older and they have not been vaccinated, please, please, please get the vaccine." 

The event offered free school supplies, haircuts and physicals to more than 10,000 qualifying students. Vaccines were also available for those over the age of 12.

Fort Worth and Dallas ISD start classes for the majority of students on Aug. 16. Keller ISD starts Aug. 18.