Some educators and child care providers in Milwaukee receive their first dose
MILWAUKEE, WI (CBS 58) – Some educators and child care providers around the state started getting their COVID vaccine on Monday, March 1.
But some teachers still have some time to wait for the vaccine.
There were 10,000 doses that were requested for the week.
It’s not clear how many were reserved for educators, but we do know priority is still being given to folks 65 years of age and older.
“I’m really excited about it,” says Katie Taff, director of child care at a center in Milwaukee. “It feels like the first step towards trying to have a normal life again.”
Taff received her first dose of the COVID vaccine today at the Wisconsin Center.
“I was really happy to see that our early educators and child care providers were put at the top of the list,” says Taff. “We closed for six weeks and we’ve been open since then, caring for kids on a consistent basis.”
Milwaukee Public Schools announced in February their tentative plan to bring back pre-K through second grade on April 12. Other grades will be returning later that month.
“It is absolutely imperative to move forward with vaccines for public education workers,” say Amy Mizaialko, president of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association. “We want to be serious about making sure that we keep students, their families and educators safe.”
Counties like Washington and Ozaukee have also started prioritizing educators and child care workers.
Waukesha County hasn’t quite opened their new eligibility group.
“There’s a difference with eligibility and availability,” says Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “We’re still waiting for the number of doses to catch up with the amount of people that we have in these groups.”
Their goal is to have at least 60% of their 65 and older population vaccinated with the first dose before moving on by March 15.
“I think it’s exciting,” says Taff. “It’s exciting to feel that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”
Officials continue to ask the public for patience.