Public School Teachers Next In Line to Receive COVID-19 Vaccines in Pittsburgh

March 11, 2021

Pittsburgh Public Schools are sharing plans for vaccinating teachers and staff now that teachers in Pennsylvania have priority status for the COVID-19 vaccine. As reported by the article: Pittsburgh Public Schools Hopes to Begin Vaccinating Teachers, Staff Next Week, teachers will receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in two stages, according to Dr. Anthony Hamlet, the district superintendent. Starting with teachers and staff serving early grades, offering special education or English language programs, and elementary school bus drivers.

Dr. Hamlet believes the two-stage process adds another layer of mitigation strategy in terms of returning to our world in a safe way. The first-wave vaccines are expected to take place between March 10 and 13, just over three weeks before the district expects to return some students to the classroom. A reopening schedule has been set for April 6, with 4,786 students, and April 26, with 5,215 students. More than 10,000 students in the two remaining cohorts are waiting to receive their return dates.

Younger students, students with special education needs, students who have fallen behind with remote learning, and students receiving English-speaking special services will be given first priority during the reopening plan, according to Dr. Hamlet. He also asked everyone inside any building to make sure they're following the CDC guidelines and state guidelines. After students and teachers return, safety precautions will remain in effect.

To read the full article, visit: Pittsburgh Public Schools Hopes to Begin Vaccinating Teachers, Staff Next Week