Texas educators can receive the coronavirus vaccine after President Joe Biden added educators to the priority group.
City leaders said they are adjusting the registration system to include teachers as essential workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
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“I’m just completely elated that it’s going to happen for us,” said Heather Cynor a teacher at Ysleta Independent School District.
“I’m super excited,” said Veronica Lindsey a teacher at Socorro Independent School District.
“I’m thrilled,” said Lisa Lopez a teacher at Socorro ISD.
“As soon as we got the information, I went and I registered immediately since we are now getting priority,” said Veronica Ruiz a teacher at Socorro ISD.
The city of El Paso said teachers will likely still have to go the city’s three vaccination sites for the shot.
“So, yes, we did have a place on there where essential workers could do it so we’re able to capture that information. The team is working so when you actually sign up on the list, there will be a separate box or window that you will touch if you’re in the education field,” said El Paso fire chief Mario D’Agostino.
City leaders said it’s working to add teachers to the vaccination list without skipping anyone that is already registered and qualifies as category 1A or 1B.
“We’re not making any changes. We’re not going to bump anybody up. They’re just going to fall in line with that category,” said D’Agostino.
“I had even looked into traveling into Phoenix or even Odessa just two days ago to get that vaccine, as educators we were having those conversations,” said Lissete Contreras teacher at Socorro ISD.
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The vaccine will also include all educators and school employees.
“I’m glad it’s educators. I’m glad it’s not just teachers, that it’s our custodians and our cafeteria workers and our crossing monitors,” said Lopez.
City officials said it’s looking into a special time to only allow teachers to register, such as super senior days for only seniors to register, but it said those talks are still in the works.
Vaccinations can be done on vaccineep.org.
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