SCHOOL, CHILD CARE PERSONNEL NOW ELIGIBLE FOR COVID-19 VACCINE IN TEXAS

  

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) says teachers and other educational staff are now eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

A notice sent today (Wednesday) by DSHS to vaccine providers states they should now make vaccines available to those who work in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, and licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers.

This directive includes teachers, staff and bus drivers.

The state’s decision comes after it received a letter Tuesday from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services directing states to expand eligibility to include school and child care workers.

DSHS said this action does not change the other groups prioritized for vaccination in Texas, and encourages vaccine providers to continue their efforts to vaccinate older adults.

In January, the Brenham School Board passed a resolution asking Governor Greg Abbott to include school personnel in the state’s definition of frontline workers, giving them easier access to vaccines.