Local Teachers Associations Call on Governor to Prioritize Education Personnel for The COVID-19 Vaccine

Local Teachers Associations Call on Governor to Prioritize Education Personnel for The COVID-19 Vaccine

Evansville, IN — Teachers Association leaders from Gibson, Pike, Posey, and Vanderburgh counties asked Governor Eric Holcomb and Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box to release a plan that prioritizes educators and other school staff for the COVID-19 vaccination in a joint letter sent on Monday, February 8. The letter, which is attached, calls for such a plan to be released by February 17.

In December, the CDC issued updated recommendations for the allocation of the COVID-19 vaccine, naming “those who work in the education sector (teachers and support staff members)” among the non-health care essential workers who should be a part of Phase 1B along with persons aged 75 or older. But the state’s vaccination plan has only included older Hoosiers in Phase 1B, leaving teachers wondering when they might be eligible to receive a vaccine. This, along with last week’s announcement by Dr. Box that the state was relaxing guidance related to contact tracing and quarantining for students and staff in school prompted the letter. “Many of our teachers and staff are at their breaking point already, but the vaccine was a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Angela Cooper, President of the South Gibson Teachers Association. “Now, we feel betrayed by the state.”

All of Indiana’s neighboring states have begun vaccinating school personnel or have plans to do so by the end of February, adding to the frustration, and Evansville Teachers Association President Michael Rust said Association members believe the time for action is past. “We appreciate local efforts that have allowed some teachers to be vaccinated or added to a wait list, but the state has to have a more comprehensive plan than that,” he said. “These decisions are happening in offices and board rooms, rather than in crowded hallways during passing periods or a in 900 square foot classroom filled with 25 students. If educators and school staff have been deemed ‘essential,’ we deserve to have our health and safety prioritized.”

About: The Indiana State Teachers Association is a professional association organized to sustain quality public education, improve students’ educational opportunities and advance the professional status of educators. The East Gibson Classroom Teachers Association, North Gibson Education Association, South Gibson Teachers Association, Pike County Teachers Association,  NEA Mount Vernon, NEA North Posey, and Evansville Teachers Association are all local affiliates of the Indiana State Teachers Association, representing teachers in their respective school corporations.