Okla. Teachers Hope Their Move Up Vaccine Tier Enables Students To Learn In Person

Teachers across the state have responded to the governor’s decision to move teachers up in the COVID-19 vaccine priority list.

Some teachers said that they hope by moving up on the priority list, it will enable students to learn in person for the rest of the year.

Teachers across the state of Oklahoma and here in Broken Arrow may start getting the vaccine as early as January and those News On 6 talked to said they cannot wait.

Kathryn Thomas is a teacher librarian at Broken Arrow High School. She said she hopes the vaccine will ease the stress among teachers and students right now who are worried about contracting the virus at school.

Broken Arrow High School went back to in-person learning this week after doing virtual learning for several weeks because of the recent spike in cases.

Thomas said she noticed a lot of joy from students getting back into the classroom this week and a lot of the kids she's talked to have been looking forward to being back in person

Thomas hopes a vaccine will help them do that full time and she said she will get the shot when its available.

Governor Stitt announced Thursday that all teachers and support staff will be eligible in Phase 2 of the vaccine plan instead of Phase 3, which was the original plan.

"We're all feeling really respected right now,” said Thomas. “I think it shows that our profession is something that's seen as essential is seen as necessary. And the work that we're doing here is being recognized in a really positive way."

Some elderly Oklahomans have expressed concern about the move.

They said they're worried they won't be able to get the vaccine as quickly now that teachers are in the same tier as them.

The state health department said priority will still be given to those most at risk.