Starting March 15, New Jersey’s prekindergarten through 12 educators and support staff will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines, Gov. Phil Murphy said March 1 during his media briefing.
Among the others who will be eligible for vaccines on March 15 are childcare workers as well as public and local transportation workers.
“We expect this to be a total of several hundred thousand workers and residents,” Murphy said. The exact “how and where” involved with administering the vaccines will be worked out, he added.
“Gov. Murphy’s announcement today recognizing the value of all prekindergarten-to-12 educational and support staff is a good first step in reopening our schools,” said AFTNJ President Donna M. Chiera. “We welcome this news, and our educators look forward to having in-person instruction soon with their students. But let’s remember that the vaccines are just one tool in reopening schools safely. They’re not a substitute for regular testing, proper social distancing, thorough cleaning and appropriate ventilation. Vaccine availability must be aligned with these important mitigation strategies.”