Why The CDC Believes Teachers Don't Need Vaccine For Schools To Reopen

Many schools around the country have had their doors shut since the school year began, and with talks of reopening, teachers are left wondering how they’ll be protected.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that teachers don’t need to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in order for schools to reopen and resume in-person learning.

"Vaccination of teachers is not a prerequisite for safe reopening of schools," Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC said during a White House COVID-19 briefing Wednesday.

There’s been a push from the Biden administration to reopen schools, which is in his proposed relief plan. The $1.9 trillion plan offers funding for schools so they can have more COVID-19 testing equipment, more PPE, ventilation and proper sanitation.

While the CDC has found low transmission data in schools when masks are worn and social distancing protocols are in place, some are still wary about the idea of not being vaccinated and returning to school.

Some schools around the country have already implemented a reopening plan, which includes various phases in order to stay safe and control the spread of the virus.

Teachers, essential workers and older adults are considered in the “Phase 1B” group, which determines when they would be in line to get vaccinated according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Even though teachers and daycare workers are eligible to receive their shots, there’s been a national shortage of vaccines, which could make it difficult for them to get the shot before schools are set to reopen.

The White House did announce that the supply of doses would increase 16% to states within the next few weeks, and the administration purchased an additional 100 million doses of Moderna and Pfizer, the Associated Press reported.