ROUND ROCK, Texas — Officials of the Round Rock Independent School District have this week sent a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott asking that teachers be included in those getting priority to receive the new COVID-19 vaccine. Other organizations in the state have also reached out to Abbott in the same regard. Those include Texas Association of School Administrator, the Texas Association of School Boards and the Texas School Alliance.
“As leaders of the Round Rock Independent School District, we are greatly appreciative of your commitment to protect Texans during the COVID-19 pandemic and for your concern for the educational, social and emotional well-being of the more than five million students enrolled in Texas public schools, including the more than 50,000 students and 7,000 employees of Round Rock ISD.
“As we watch with great hope and anticipation the distribution of the first COVID-19 vaccines, we are respectfully requesting that Texas teachers and school personnel be considered as a priority group in the vaccination process. The front line medical workers and older Texans in residential facilities certainly are the first priority, but if doses are available for Texas teachers in the initial group or in the second phase it would be a great asset in keeping the teachers in Texas schools actively engaged in teaching for the coming months.
“We appreciate your efforts and the work of your task force and medical advisors. We are committed to continue working diligently to provide quality instruction for students in this difficult time. Thank you again for your leadership in this unprecedented health crisis.”
COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Texas on Monday and weekly shipments are expected to be delivered to health sites across the state. According to Texas Health and Human Services, 697 doses have been administered to date, in 31 of 254 counties in Texas. Harris and Dallas counties have received the highest number. More than 90,000 doses of the vaccine have been distributed.