COVID update: Schools can safely reopen even if teachers are not vaccinated against coronavirus, says CDC

WASHINGTON – The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says schools can reopen safely even if teachers are not vaccinated against coronavirus.

As some teachers ‘unions stop resuming in-person training before teachers are inoculated, Dr Rochelle Walensky says: “Teachers’ vaccination is not a prerequisite for the safe reopening of schools.” Walensky cited CDC data showing that social distancing and wearing a mask significantly reduce the spread of the virus in schools.

Jeff Zients, the White House COVID-19 coordinator, called on Congress to provide additional funding to ensure schools have the resources to support reopening.

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President Joe Biden is committed to ensuring that almost all schools in K-8 will be reopened for personal instruction in the first 100 days of administration.

Teachers are prioritized as “key workers” in the CDC’s vaccination plans, although many have not yet received doses as the nation continues to face a shortage of vaccine supplies.