Teachers could be among the first in Marin County to get the coronavirus vaccine when it becomes available.
Marin County health officials say they are considering moving teachers up in the line, just behind healthcare workers and nursing home residents.
"We know that teachers are essential workers and they are in classrooms with students," explained the county’s Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis. "Eighty percent of our schools are now open in Marin County and our teachers have done a lot of great work to try and make that environment as safe as possible. And vaccinating them would make it even safer."
"I would say that teachers are incredibly grateful," said Morgan Agnew, a math teacher at Terra Linda High School and president of the San Rafael Federation of Teachers.
"I’m sure there will be some teachers who will feel that way, who will be concerned that it hasn’t been sufficiently well studied or that they simply don’t want to be part of the very first wave to get the vaccine. I’m sure there will be some of that feeling. I will be one of the first ones, I’ll be out there right away getting the vaccine myself."
Agnew added that it is important to for everyone to remember that vaccines will not replace other public health measures for some time.
"Our concern has never just been with the safety of our members but also with the safety of our students and our families, and we need to keep in mind the fact that although we might be vaccinated, our students would not be and could still potentially spread COVID to each other or bring it home to their families."
Dr. Willis said the county is planning to create a mass dispensing site where everyone in a specific sector could come and be vaccinated in large amounts.
There are 8,000 educators in Marin County including teachers and support staff, and nearly four times that many students.
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