The Orange County Health Department says it will work with local schools to ensure educators can be vaccinated before returning to in-person learning.
The health department said it will work with the two public school systems, private and charter schools and the childcare providers within the county to develop a plan to vaccinate eligible staff under new state COVID-19 guidance.
Governor Roy Cooper announced Wednesday that childcare workers, educators and school personnel in pre-K through grade 12 will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine beginning February 24.
Orange County had been helping to vaccinate healthcare workers, long-term care providers and anyone 65 years or older prior to Governor Coopers announcement on the move into Group 3 of vaccinations.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools sent a message to families and staff saying they will be cooperating with the Orange County Health Department to ensure vaccinations. The system has been operating remotely for almost of its students since the beginning of the pandemic last March. The CHCCS school board voted last week, however, to approve a Hybrid In-Person instruction model beginning in April.
As the district considered the move to in person learning, Superintendent Nyah Hamlett said feedback from the community was that if they were to move to in-person instruction, vaccination should be available.
“We’ve received many emails and communication from staff, students and families alike, on both sides of this,” Hamlett said. “There are several factors that have to be considered, and one of the things we’re hearing a lot about just based on the communication that came out from the Governor and the state last week is that vaccines [are], albeit not the answer to returning to in person learning, a small piece to the puzzle. It’s really important for people.”
Although educators will be eligible for the vaccine, the waitlist is still long for those currently eligible under Phase 1 and 2. Hamlett said Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools will be authorizing up to $1.3 million to purchase HEPPA air filters for campus buildings, as well as additional personal protective equipment for students and faculty.
“What we’re looking to do is do our best to make sure we are adhering to the three W’s,” said Hamlett, “and keeping staff and students as safe as possible through that and really focusing on social, emotional and mental wellness for our students and our staff.”
The first group of CHCCS students is set to return to in-person instruction April 19.
More information about getting vaccines through Orange County Health Department can be found on the county government’s website.
Photo via WTOC.
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