As the start of the new school year in New Jersey inches closer, parents of children who are ages 12 and older are now faced with a decision regarding COVID-19 vaccinations.

Some school districts in southern New Jersey have now scheduled pop-up clinics for parents who do want to have their children vaccinated.

“I encourage any parent of an unvaccinated 12- to 17-year-old to make an appointment for their child today so that they can be fully vaccinated when the school year begins,” state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said.

The commissioner’s request echoes those of health officials in Burlington County. Now that the county mega vaccination site is closed, officials will focus on local vaccine sites. Parents can go to different schools in the county to get their children who are 12 years old and older the Pfizer vaccine.

"Right now, the CDC says if your child is vaccinated and there's an outbreak in your classroom or in your school, you don't need to be separated from school. You can stay in school and continue your education. You can go to practice, you can participate in your athletic activities” says Burlington County Health Director Dr. Herb Conaway. “I think that's a very important message to get to parents."

Cherry Hill Public Schools also holding vaccine clinics for families this summer. One site is located at Clara Barton Elementary School and another at Beck Middle School. Health officials say they hope by providing access to the vaccine, more families will consider it.

“It’s a place the parents and kids know. It’s a safe place for children and it’s an important place for us to be in, for vaccinations to be to get our kids ready to go back to school,” Conaway says.

Both Burlington County and Cherry Hill Schools say their clinics are open to anyone eligible to receive the vaccine.

July 28 & August 18, from 4-6 p.m., at Clara Barton Elementary School, 223 Rhode Island Ave.

July 29 & August 19, from 4-6 p.m., at Beck Middle School, 950 Cropwell Rd.

All participants must pre-register at www.adlersrx.com.

July 29 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ridgway Middle School, 300 Delanco Road, Edgewater Park; 2nd dose on Aug. 19 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (fully vaccinated by Sept. 2)

July 30 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Eastampton Community School, 1 Student Drive, Mount Holly; 2nd dose on Aug. 20 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (fully vaccinated by Sept. 3)

Aug. 2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Florence Riverfront School, 500 East Front Street, Florence; 2nd dose on Aug. 23 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (fully vaccinated by Sept. 6)

Aug. 3 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Maple Shade High School, 180 Fredrick Avenue, Maple Shade; 2nd dose on Aug. 24 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (fully vaccinated by Sept. 7)

Aug. 4 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Marlton Middle School, 150 Tomlinson Mill Road, Marlton; 2nd dose on Aug. 25 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (fully vaccinated by Sept. 8)

Aug. 4 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Moorestown Friends School, 110 East Main Street, Moorestown, 2nd dose on Aug. 25 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. (fully vaccinated by Sept 8)

Aug. 5 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Liberty Lake Day Camp, 1196 Florence-Columbus Road, Bordentown; 2nd dose on Aug. 26 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (fully vaccinated by Sept. 9)