Vaccine Shot -- Image from Canadian Press

By Josh Hall/RDnewsnow

“TEACHERS ARE DEFINITELY ON THE FRONTLINE"

ATA says teachers should be prioritized for COVID vaccine

Mar 26, 2021 | 11:56 AM

RED DEER, AB– The Alberta Teachers’ Association says education workers must be given higher priority in the province’s COVID-19 vaccination plan.

The plan makes no reference to teachers, leaving those in older age categories and with underlying conditions the primary persons eligible in Phase Two.

ATA President Jason Schilling says since government has insisted on keeping schools open during the pandemic, they are responsible for ensuring they’re as safe as possible, including vaccinating all teachers and school staff.

“Teachers want to be in their buildings, working with their students,” he says. “We’ve had many conversations since last December when we started hearing about the first phases of the vaccination process, knowing firstly we need to secure our health system and most vulnerable.”

Schilling says there is extreme frustration given how other provinces have made vaccinating school staff a priority.

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B.C. announced last week that educational staff are included in that province’s next phase starting next month. Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador have vowed school workers will be vaccinated by the end of June, and New Brunswick is vaccinating 4,500 high school teachers by March 27. Schilling notes U.S. President Joe Biden has asked all states to make vaccinating educators by the end of March a top priority.

“Teachers are definitely on the frontline. They’re working in overcrowded classrooms. Twenty-five per cent of classrooms have over 30 kids and people can’t physically distance in them,” says Schilling. “Everybody working in these buildings should be vaccinated. Our health care system comes first, but if we can keep schools open, it allows other parts of society to be open as well.”

The average age of a teacher in Alberta is 41, Schilling notes, so there aren’t many who would fall into a higher priority category for a shot.

He points out that younger people also don’t fall into the vaccination plan as of now, thus teachers are further exposed to possible in-school transmission.

As of Thursday, 365 Alberta schools, about 15 per cent, are on alert or have outbreaks, with 1,577 cases in total. There are 255 schools on alert, with 519 total cases. Outbreaks are declared in 110 schools, with a total of 1,058 cases. In-school transmission has likely occurred in 265 schools.

While Schilling doesn’t feel educators are scared to go to school, Red Deer ATA Local President Kelly Aleman believes some aren’t comfortable admitting it.

“Teachers are weary. If you vaccinated teachers and made it easier for them to stay in their classrooms when or if there’s an outbreak, that’s better for everybody,” Aleman explains.

“It’s not too late for government to enact policy prioritizing education workers. They’ve made adjustments along the way and have an opportunity now to make the right call.”

Alberta Health spokesperson Sherene Khaw tells rdnewsNOW the ministry recognizes many occupations, teachers included, would benefit from the vaccine, and the goal is to offer it to them as soon as possible.

“Due to the limited vaccine supply that is available in Alberta, we continue to target seniors and others most at risk of severe outcomes, and those who work directly with them,” Khaw says.

“All Albertans, regardless of occupation, who are 65 and older are now eligible for the vaccine, those with eligible underlying conditions will receive it in Phase 2B, and Albertans turning 50 to 64 will be eligible in Phase 2D.”

Every eligible Albertan who wants a vaccine will be able to book an appointment in the coming weeks, adds Khaw.

Meantime, Aleman feels it was “tone deaf” of Education Minister and Red Deer-North MLA Adriana LaGrange to share an Instagram post last weekend of her receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, not because of the fact she received a dose, but because so many teachers are waiting their turn.

Justin Marshall, LaGrange’s press secretary, says she qualified based on her age and registered under the same system available to all Albertans.

“In no way did the minister jump the queue or receive preferential access. She qualified under the rollout of AstraZeneca vaccine that could not be used for those 65+,” he said. “Our primary goal must be stopping deaths and hospitalizations so that life can return to normal. All Albertans are encouraged to receive the vaccine as soon as they are eligible.”

Both the UCP and NDP have had MLAs receive vaccinations.