New Mexico has started clearing the way for schools on Monday to reopen next month as vaccine eligibility was expanded. It includes shots for all teachers, those working in early childhood programs, and educators. Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart delivered his words during a news conference. He said, “We get to ring the bell and bring our students back, and I’m very happy for both our educators who will be receiving their vaccines, back in the classroom with their students and students who have missed their peers and missed their sports”. The recent announcement came after the state said it was designed to get educators their first shots by the end of March 2021. The state expanded vaccine eligibility as part of a directive by the Biden administration to get more schools reopened amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Last week, Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and state Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins said the ability of New Mexico to meet the timeline will depend on the federal government increasing vaccine supplies. The Health Secretary said the state had been in discussions with the White House about how the directive would affect vaccinations for other groups. The state will start with educators outside of the Albuquerque area this week and the metro area next week under the latest plan. The final week at a mass vaccination site will target all of those statewide who have yet to be vaccinated. At least 15,000 educators have already received shots, as some were eligible as part of New Mexico’s phased-in approach to distributing vaccinations.
The state Public Education Department says there were at least 17,400 teachers on the rolls as of early December. The focus until now has been on the most vulnerable populations, including those 75 and over and younger people with chronic health conditions that put them at greater risk. It is noteworthy that the White House’s absent directive, teachers, and other educators were next in line to be prioritized under New Mexico’s phased-in approach to distributing vaccinations. Teacher unions pushed for more widespread vaccinations as pressure mounted to get back to in-person learning. Many schools in New Mexico districts had opted not to dramatically increase in-person learning in spite of the approval from Lujan Grisham. On Monday, the Health Department sent alerts and asked other members of the public to be patient.