ST. PAUL – Representatives Peggy Scott, R-Andover, and Sondra Erickson, R-Princeton, along with Senator Michelle Benson, R-Ham Lake, introduced a proposal today to move teachers and school administrators towards the front of the line for the COVID-19 vaccine. The proposal, would allow teachers and other school staff to voluntarily receive the vaccine after first responders and high-risk individuals.
“Allowing teachers and other school staff to voluntarily receive the vaccine early on in the vaccine rollout process will allow our students and teachers to get back in the classroom and hopefully prevent any more students from being left behind after this period of extended distance learning,” said Scott. “I have heard story after story from teachers, parents, and students who see students falling behind, and we need to do all we can to stop this trend.”
“Despite the best efforts of teachers, families, and school staff, distance learning has caused significant damage to students’ mental health and academic achievement,” said bill author Rep. Erickson. “Prioritizing teachers in the first round of vaccinations will help make sure that students can return to school safely and quickly with hopes that we can begin to reverse the negative impact the pandemic has had on students and families.”
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