Austin ISD Teachers Receive Coronavirus Vaccine

AUSTIN, TX — Austin ISD staff over the age of 65 and those with compromised immune systems began receiving the coronavirus vaccine on Saturday via a partnership with Ascension Seton, officials said on Saturday.

The pilot program is an offshoot of health services Ascension Seton has provided to Austin ISD schools for the past 24 years, officials noted. Through Tuesday, campus-based staff who are 65 years old and older are invited to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a designated Ascension Seton vaccine clinic through Ascension Seton's joint partnership with Austin ISD, according to an advisory.

After that, and based on vaccine availability, Austin ISD staff with a qualifying high-risk condition under Group 1B will be invited to receive the vaccine in accordance with the Texas Department of State Health Services Phase 1B vaccine priority guidelines, health officials added. Austin ISD central office staff are notifying eligible individuals via a personal phone call and email to share the process for registering for the vaccine, according to the advisory.

As Ascension Seton continues to receive additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, officials said, they will continue to expand vaccine operations consistent with federal and state guidance. Ascension Seton will share more details publicly when they move to the next phase of vaccination for the larger phase 1B group, officials added. Ascension Seton continues to use all COVID-19 vaccines provided and does not hold any COVID-19 vaccines in reserve, according to the advisory.