Gov. Phil Murphy on March 1 announced that educators and support staff in pre-K through 12th-grade, childcare and transportation workers, will be among those eligible to make appointments to get COVID-19 vaccines by the middle of the month.
“Our administration has built the infrastructure – including nearly 300 vaccination sites across the state – needed to support New Jersey’s COVID-19 vaccination demand,” said Murphy. “As the federal government continues to make more vaccine doses available, we are confident in our ability to expand our vaccination program to reach more of our essential workers and vulnerable populations. Our goal is to provide every New Jerseyan with a vaccine when it is available and they are eligible.”
Beginning Monday, March 15, teachers, administrators and support staff, in pre-K through 12th-grade, will be eligible to sign up for vaccinations, a development welcomed by NJSBA Executive Director Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod.
“A number of boards of education have adopted a sample resolution prepared by the NJSBA which called for the governor to make educators a top priority for getting the vaccine,” Feinsod said. “We are pleased that the governor has taken this action to protect the lives of teachers, administrators and support staff who serve 1.4 million public school students.”
In part, the NJSBA sample resolution reads:
“WHEREAS, public schools have a profound impact on millions of students, families and staff and are charged with the care, education, nourishment of their students and are an integral part of the health and safety of our communities; and…
“WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan published by the State of New Jersey Department of Health (December 15, 2020, pgs. 36-37) prioritizes the availability of vaccines to “essential workers” in Phase 1B of the vaccine protocol; and
“WHEREAS, school district staff at all levels are essential to the day-to-day operations of this district, responsible for the thorough and efficient education of all students and their social and emotional wellbeing, are critical for virtual and in-class instruction and are “essential workers;”
“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the _____________________ Board of Education finds a substantial public purpose exists to request that Governor Murphy give appropriate priority in the statewide administration of the COVID-19 vaccine to all public school district personnel.”
For more information about eligibility, statewide vaccination site locations, and to preregister for a vaccination, visit the website.