New Jersey Expanding COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility To Teachers, Child Care, Transportation Workers
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) - Teachers and other essential workers in the Garden State will soon be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday the state is expanding vaccine eligibility to additional essential workers.
Starting March 15, the following groups will be eligible to receive the vaccine:
- Pre-K to 12 educators & support staff
- Child care workers
- Transportation workers
- Additional public safety workers
Eligibility for the vaccine is expanding in New Jersey. Teachers will soon be able to armor up against COVID-19.
That's news one South Jersey teacher was excited to hear.
"Initially, he said we would be in 1B, however, when 1B came up they also said at that time, all elderly people 65 and older. Even though we could get in, it was very hard," Lindenwold English teacher April Lee said.
Starting March 15, pre-K through 12th-grade educators will be able to be vaccinated, as well as child care workers.
Lee says she already received her first shot but when the Lindenwold School District reopens in April, she feels more confident heading back into the classroom.
"I will be fully vaccinated by the time our students are coming back for our hybrid program. However, I'm still hesitant because I still see people conducting themselves out in public. They may be wearing a mask but people are having parties."
Though this is a step in the right direction to reopen schools safely, teachers are well aware there are still risks.
"Even though I may be doing my part in doing what I feel is right, I don't know if my students' parents are," Lee said.
Public and local transportation workers are also among the group who will be eligible to receive the vaccine starting on March 15.
