Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. said his office is working with districts across the county to determine how many teacher need to receive a coronavirus vaccination.

Effective immediately, all Texas vaccine providers have been told to include school staff, Head Start program staff, and child care staff in their vaccine administration programs, according to a notice the Texas Department of State Health services sent to providers.

On Tuesday, the Biden administration urged all states to prioritize vaccinating teachers and school staff.

In a news release, Trevino said in the coming days the Public Health department will set aside Moderna vaccines for teachers in the following districts:

  • Rio Hondo ISD
  • Santa Maria ISD
  • Marine Military Academy
  • Santa Rosa ISD
  • Jubilee Academies
  • La Feria ISD
  • South Texas ISD
  • Harmony Schools
  • Port Isabel ISD
  • IDEA Public Schools
  • Los Fresnos CISD
  • Brownsville ISD
  • Harlingen ISD
  • San Benito CISD
  • Neighbors in Need of Services Inc.

 

In a press release Dr. John Hellerstedt, commissioner of the TDSHS said, “In light of this federal directive, all vaccine providers in Texas should immediately include these personnel in vaccination administration and outreach to ensure they are able to be immunized.

This action does not change the other groups prioritized for vaccination in Texas, and I encourage you to continue your efforts to vaccinate older adults since the burden of COVID-19 falls so severely on people ages 65 and older.”

Trevino said in the past two months the county has vaccinated residents at the county clinics in accordance with the priority groups set up by the State of Texas and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Teachers not being identified as a priority group has been a concern of ours and we’re glad to have received updated guidance from the State of Texas today,” Trevino said in a news release.

He said vaccinating teachers means we are one step closer in providing that safeguard not only in the classroom setting but also at home.

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