O’Scanlon: Getting Teachers Vaccinated Will Be Priority

Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) today announced that there is general agreement among government officials that vaccinating teachers should be a priority as soon as standards make them eligible.

“It is imperative that we put politics aside and do all we can to eliminate any hurdles to getting our kids back in school,” said O’Scanlon. “Although science says vaccination isn’t essential for teachers to safely get back in classrooms with our students, getting teachers vaccinated will give them both a health, and comfort level boost and remove the issue from the debate surrounding reopening schools.”

Numerous organizations and officials have highlighted the need for students to receive in-person instruction. Individuals who receive special education programs or school based mental health services have been particularly disadvantaged by prolonged remote learning.

“First, the Governor must expand eligibility to teachers. Supply is expected to increase steadily and substantially over the next several weeks so this should happen as soon as possible. Second, we must work together to formulate a system that can implement an orderly teachers’ vaccination program. At this point, we should have learned enough from mistakes made at the beginning of our vaccination process and be able to formulate an effective system.”

“I have already begun to help organize such a program. Special shout out to Superintendent Sean McNeil of the Fair Haven school system and the VNACJ Community Health Center for spearheading the foundation of this initiate. There is enthusiastic interest from numerous vaccine delivery entities and school administrations. We have set up the framework and have begun implementation with District 13 schools districts, with the intention of going county wide as we ramp up. So far the response from our school officials and the VNA Community Health Center as well as Hackensack Meridian has been enthusiastic. We will make this happen for our kids and our teachers!”

“I should dispel any fear that we will be displacing any other high priority communities. This will not happen. We are also working to facilitate our vulnerable seniors and others in securing vaccines. And all of this is dependent on the expected significant ramp up in supply promised at the federal level.”