Kinkead: Teachers, school employees to be included in vaccine priority Phase 1A

Rep. Emily Kinkead    March 2, 2021 | 3:25 PM

HARRISBURG, March 2 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead issued the following statement regarding a pending announcement that will include teachers and other school personnel in the Phase1A priority designation of the COVID-19 vaccine:

“The benefits of in-person education for our children cannot be replaced. The vital roles of our teachers, administrators, and school staff cannot be overstated. It makes complete sense to ensure that they are among the first to be protected from this deadly virus and thus to allow our students to return to in-person learning in the safest way possible -- for our students, for our school staff, and for their families.

“Today’s news is definitely a step in the right direction, especially as you consider that many of our educators are expected to work in the classroom setting and aren’t able to work from home in most cases. Late last month, I joined a number of my colleagues who signed a letter to acting state Health Secretary Alison Beam, urging her to add teachers and other high-risk employees to the Phase 1A category for receiving the vaccine. I am gratified that our request was heard and addressed.

“My ultimate goal is to continue to work with my colleagues and state health officials to include in Phase 1A other high-risk employees, like our corrections officers, who also work in close congregate workplace settings. They deserve to be safe and healthy as well.”

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