EAST LANSING, Mich. (WWJ) -- As the fight against COVID-19 rages on in Michigan, the Michigan Education Association is reporting good news this week, saying the vast majority of school employees are vaccinated.
Data from a survey completed by more than 22,000 MEA members shows more than 82 percent have been fully vaccinated, and nearly 90 percent of Michigan school employees are either fully vaccinated or have started the process.
MEA says 3.6 percent of members who took the survey have received the first of two Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, while another 0.6 percent have scheduled their first dose.
An additional 1.2 percent say they plan on receiving the vaccine, while only 7.4 percent say they will choose not to be vaccinated and 4.7 percent were unsure.
"These numbers are a testament to the success of Gov. Whitmer prioritizing school employees to receive the vaccine," a press release from MEA said. "That decision in early January was essential to providing more in-person learning opportunities for students. MEA thanks Gov. Whitmer for her leadership nationally in getting the vaccine rolled out to front-line workers like our members."
The National Education Association released data from a survey in March that showed nearly half of all educators across the country had received at least one vaccine shot -- which was a large increase from just 18 percent in a February survey.
Michigan had been ahead of the curve at that point, reporting nearly two-thirds of teachers had at least one shot in early February.
The new data from MEA comes as Michigan has seen a recent spike in COVID-19 case positivity rates and hospitalization as leaders encourage Michiganders to receive the vaccine.
"These numbers are a bright spot as Michigan weathers our current wave of COVID cases. While most educators are vaccinated, most of our students are not and we're concerned about their safety," MEA president Paula Herbart said in a statement. "That's why MEA supports Gov. Whitmer's call for a pause to many in-person activities and, further, encourages all school districts, community colleges and universities to make the local decision to switch to virtual learning until this surge subsides."
Herbart is encouraging all Michiganders to do their part in wearing masks, keeping a social distance, avoiding gatherings, getting tested and vaccinated in order for students to be able to learn in-person.
