Farrow To DHS: Prioritize Vaccine For Teachers Working In-Person

WAUKESHA COUNTY, WI— Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow sent a letter to the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services urging it to prioritize COVID-19 vaccination for teachers providing face-to-face instruction over those working virtually, according to a news release.

Starting on Monday, the state will add teachers and other child care workers to its list of residents qualifying to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

DHS issued vaccination guidance that does not prioritize school districts offering in-person classes over those that have been virtual for the 2020/2021 school year, the release said.

“Vaccine priority should be given to teachers working in their classrooms over teachers working in their living rooms,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “We should reward school districts that implemented extensive efforts that have allowed safe in-person instruction from day one over those that denied students the education they deserve. Now is the time to give those teachers additional peace of mind and show them that we appreciate these months of hard work and dedication to their students.”

DHS’ plan to vaccinate teachers anticipates that educators will begin to have access to vaccine on March 15.

“Waukesha County’s partnership with area school districts has enabled most kids to be in the classroom since late August,” said County Executive Farrow. “On the other hand, many of the schools who would receive vaccine before these face-to-face educators do not even have plans in place to open until late April, There is no way those teachers who would receive immediate benefits from vaccination should have to wait until after teachers in Milwaukee Public Schools or other parts of the state who are not currently exposed to the virus while at work.”

Vaccination of the 65 and older population continues to be the number one priority in the state.