Teachers and a host of people in other jobs are set to be among the first 322,000 British Columbians to be called and asked if they would like to be vaccinated against COVID-19 outside of those in their age group.
Powell River District Teachers’ Association president Izi Loveluck said this is wonderful news and she encourages everyone to follow Dr. Bonnie Henry’s advice to take advantage of the first vaccine offered.
“We will also need to continue to carefully follow school district safety protocols until otherwise directed by public health,” said Loveluck. “We will also need to remember that immunity is not immediate.”
In a written statement, British Columbia Teachers’ Federation president Teri Mooring indicated the last year has been incredibly stressful on everyone in the school system.
“Like all British Columbians, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought stress, anxiety, and even grief to our personal and professional lives,” stated Mooring. “I join all of my teacher colleagues in expressing huge relief that educators across BC will be prioritized in April to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.”
Mooring stated that teachers, support staff, and other education workers have gone above and beyond every single day to make sure students are safe.
“We have also done everything we can to make sure each other are safe,” stated Mooring. “But, this virus has still found its way into our schools and classrooms. It has taken tens of thousands of education workers working in tough and stressful conditions to keep schools open, students learning and parents working. Teachers and the schools we work in have played a critical role in ensuring a basic sense of normalcy for BC’s children and communities.”
