Valley Health Designates COVID Vaccines For Bergen Educators

PARAMUS, NJ — Area educators and other school employees have COVID-19 vaccines set aside for them at Valley Health's Paramus vaccination site, officials announced Tuesday.

The vaccination center is "dedicating vaccines to all personnel employed by schools in the surrounding area, as well as licensed childcare providers."

An eligibility form can be filled out and submitted here.

Educators and childcare personnel will be contacted to schedule an appointment once the form is submitted, according to Valley officials.

"Valley salutes all area teachers, school staff, and childcare providers who have guided North Jersey’s students through the past year. We are proud to Support Our Schools," they said.

Efforts to get teachers vaccinated have grown recently, with over 700 vaccinated at a one-day clinic at Bergen County Technical School over the weekend. Read more: 700 Bergen County Teachers, Faculty Vaccinated In Paramus

Officials from across the county and state have spoken out about the importance of opening schools for in person learning, and many have said it should happen sooner rather than later.

"Short of crushing the COVID crisis itself, I believe — along with Congressman Tom Malinowski — that nothing is more urgent than getting our children back to school safely for in-person learning. We're starting to get vaccines to our teachers, but we need to do more," said Congressman Josh Gottheimer, who along with Malinowski penned an op-ed for NJ.com on the subject.

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