Coronavirus: Georgia expands COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include teachers, other groups

GEORGIA — Georgia is making major expansions to its COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

Thursday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced he’s expanding who will be eligible to get the vaccine next.

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These new groups will be moved up to the priority vaccine list starting March 8:

• Pre-K through 12 educators and staff.
• Parents of children with complex medical conditions.
• Adults with intellectual and development disabilities and their caregivers.

During a news conference, Kemp said the move was to get students back to brick-and-mortar learning.

“We cannot delay full in-person learning any longer,” Kemp said. “Our children cannot afford to wait until fall.”

Lisa Morgan, president of the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), said this is big news for teachers.

“It is a relief to finally have a date,” Morgan said. “We are very excited by this news.”

Quick Links: How to make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in the Jacksonville area

Morgan said getting teachers vaccinated will be an added layer of protection inside the classroom.

“No one wants to be back in the classroom with our students more than educators, but we must think about the health and safety of our students, our colleagues and all of our families,” Morgan said.

Morgan said logistics for vaccinating teachers will be up to each school district.

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“We have 180 school districts in Georgia, so I’m sure there will be probably 180 individual plans,” Morgan said.

Action News Jax is reaching out to school districts in southeast Georgia to learn more about their vaccination plans for teachers.

Cox Media Group