Massachusetts teachers celebrate ‘joyful day’ following Baker announcement to vaccinate educators

Teachers will now be able to get in line for a coronavirus vaccine beginning March 11, Gov. Charlie Baker announced in what was described as a “joyful day” for Bay State educators.

“This gives everybody, the educators, an added layer of protection, which is what they deserve because when educators feel safe it has a direct impact on students feeling safe,” said Massachusetts Teachers Association President Merrie Najimy.

Najimy said, “Today is a joyful day for educators across the state. This is a huge victory for our students, our school employees, our entire school community.”

The policy shift comes one day after President Biden directed states to inoculate educators with at least one dose by the end of the month, a move that prompted CVS pharmacy on Wednesday morning to open appointments up to teachers. Biden said vaccines would be made available for teachers through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, which supplies doses to CVS and other pharmacies.

Massachusetts schools are also under pressure to reopen for in-person learning as the state Board of Education is scheduled to vote Friday on emergency regulations granting the education commissioner authority to determine when hybrid and remote models will no longer count towards required student learning time hours.

Asked why teachers won’t become eligible to sign up for vaccines immediately, Baker said, “I don’t see how we can choose to take vaccines away from people who are … significantly at risk of hospitalization and death from COVID.”

Starting next Thursday teachers, early educators and school support staff will become eligible to sign up for vaccine appointments at any of the 190 vaccination locations across Massachusetts.

The group that includes about 400,000 people was next in line for vaccines, but Baker said the state “moved up” their eligibility date after hearing Biden’s directive and in an effort to remain “reasonably consistent” with federal guidance.

Boston Teachers Union President Jessica Tang said teachers are “pleased that the President has recognized the importance of prioritizing our educators for vaccinations.”

“While it is frustrating that the state is only giving this priority after a federal mandate, knowing that March 11 is on the horizon and that the federal government has made vaccines available through the pharmacy program is welcome news,” she said.

Depending on supply from the state, BPS will reserve slots for employees at two community health clinics and is working with the Boston Public Health Commission to provide dedicated clinics for BPS workers to be vaccinated, though they are not yet open for appointments, according to the district.

Herald wire services contributed to this report.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/30c4rgQ