Texas school care workers now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

On Wednesday, the Texas Department of State Health Services announced, upon direction from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, eligibility will be expanded to “those who work in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools, as well as Head Start and Early Start programs (including teachers, staff, and bus drivers) and those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers.”

Texas DSHS does say that this does not change the other groups that were already prioritized. Providers will be encouraged to vaccinate those 65 and older first.

The expansion comes after the statewide mask mandate was halted by Governor Abbott. Several teaching organizations are hoping the Texas Education Agency puts strict rules in place to help schools remain as safe as they can be.

TEA says updated guidance is coming soon.