Educators in Waterbury, Connecticut, will be the first to roll up their sleeves when the state expands its COVID-19 vaccine rollout to teachers next week.
Governor Ned Lamont said Waterbury teachers are first in line because the city has taken the initiative.
“Waterbury is great. They’re the first school system to say we are ready to go, ready to get those vaccines going. So they can have that special line for teachers and everybody who works in schools. And we are going to be rolling this out to school districts across the state,” Lamont said.
Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary said the city has collaborated with St. Mary’s Hospital and set-up a mass vaccination clinic at the Waterbury Arts Magnet School.
“We will have a section just for the teachers and the custodial staff, administrators, and so on,” O'Leary said.
Kevin Egan is president of the Waterbury Teachers Union. He said getting vaccinated is a win for teachers and their students.
“Our 1,600 WTA teachers will now be armed and ready to be back in full force in the classrooms to do what they do best. And that is to educate your child,” Egan said.
The city has a special hotline for teachers to book their shots. The hope is to have all 4,000 school employees who wish to be vaccinated done in March — so schools can fully reopen.
The state has also expanded the vaccine rollout to everyone 55 and older, starting Monday.
