COVID 19 vaccine

School districts need to press Texas to vaccinate teachers, union says

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Teachers and staff push to be prioritized in vaccine rollout

WATCH: "We agree students need to be in school, but also want to be safe," said the president of the Houston Federation of Teachers.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Many teachers across the state continue to wait for their turn to get vaccinated, despite having to go back to classrooms months ago.

"We agree students need to be in school, but also want to be safe," said Jackie Anderson, the president of the Houston Federation of Teachers.

In the midst of the pandemic, teachers have emerged as some of the most essential workers, weathering the many educational challenges that have happened over the last year.

Many teachers have returned back to in-person learning, a choice made by school districts that has angered some, which is why there is frustration that teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria works and custodial staff have not been prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine.

ABC13's Miya Shay explains how one woman is helping to alert others when appointment slots open through social media and when you need to start checking local pharmacies for availability.

"We don't have a problem with teaching, it's what we do," Anderson said. "But, we don't want to risk our lives doing it."

On the Centers for Disease Control website, teachers are listed under their recommendation for who would qualify for the shot under the 1B group.

Currently, Texas is providing shots to those in 1A and 1B, but the state health department has decided to focus on vaccinating those 65 years and older as well as those with underlying health conditions. Teachers who qualify under those specific groups can get the shot, but the others have to wait.

A statement on the matter from Gov. Abbott's Press Secretary Renae Eze reads:

"Students have been out of the classrooms for too long, jeopardizing their long-term education and success as adults. The Governor views the vaccination of teachers and other frontline workers as a key component to fully opening the state, which he is working aggressively to safely achieve as quickly as possible. Across Texas, teachers who are over 65 years old or have qualifying health conditions are already receiving the vaccine. As the limited vaccine supplies from the federal government begin to increase, we will continue to expand vaccinations of teachers and other Texans until everyone who wants a vaccine receives one."

A local clinic said the state is leaving its patients behind. Shelley Childers explains why the clinic has patients scheduled for their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine with no vaccine to give them.

ABC13 reached out to a few districts for details about how they are working to get staff vaccinated.

Cy-Fair ISD has vaccinated its campus nurses through Harris County. Fort Bend ISD has partnered with local agencies to help coordinate vaccines. Katy ISD has sent a survey out to staff to help identify those who qualify for the shot and provide assistance. Pearland ISD is sharing vaccine registration and resources with staff.

None of the districts could share any numbers on how many staff members were vaccinated. One district said they were not keeping track.

"The [school districts] need to push on the state. The need to push on the [Texas Education Agency]," Anderson said. "They need to push on the governor. They need to push on the commissioner. The need to say, 'Look, if you want these schools open, help us get these teachers vaccinated.'"

Follow Charly Edsitty on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.