Educator vaccines

It’s puzzling that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette would publish an editorial showing such a callous disregard for the health and safety of educators, bus drivers and support staff in Pennsylvania’s public, charter and private schools (March 12 editorial, “Teachers Strong Arm Their Way Into Shots”).

The Post-Gazette takes issue with a statewide program to provide the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to educators and support staff — even while acknowledging “the state’s children stand to benefit the most from this move.”

The educator vaccine initiative enjoys bipartisan support. State Sen. Ryan Aument, RLancaster, a member of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, noted it will allow the state “to get our kids back to school and continue to prioritize our senior citizens with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.”

That’sbecause this program in no way interferes with the rollout of vaccines to those eligible under Phase 1A of the state’s vaccination plan. That includes senior citizens and Pennsylvanians with chronic health conditions.

The editorial board ignores this fact. It also fails to note that two-thirds of Pennsylvania school districts are currently open, providing some form of in-person instruction. Tens of thousands of dedicated professionals are working with students in person while navigating the challenges of a deadly pandemic.

Making the Johnson & Johnson vaccine available to them is essential to ensuring that school buildings are safe spaces for in-person instruction, that parents can go to work without worry, and that our economy can get back on track.

RICH ASKEY President Pennsylvania State Education Association Harrisburg