Frustration has been mounting over the slow pace and lack of information about the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plans for educators, so the MTA, AFT Massachusetts and the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts are taking the reins by proposing a public-sector collaboration to administer the vaccines locally.
"We are excited that the firefighters, who are trained in administering the vaccine, want to work with us to vaccinate educators across the state using their mobile units," said MTA President Merrie Najimy. "We envision a multiunion effort involving EMTs, cities and towns, districts, and school nurses and other frontline workers who can make this happen.
"Our plan is to start with a pilot program and then cover the whole state," she added.
The MTA is also urging the state to follow the lead of 32 other states by including higher education faculty and staff in Phase 2, along with educators in preK through grade 12.
As MTA Today went to press, the unions were planning to take their proposal to Health and Human Services Secretary Mary Lou Sudders and Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley during the first week of February.
"Communities are being forced to compete with one another for a life-saving resource," Najimy said. "The governor should be working with all of the state’s unions to roll out an efficient and effective program that will get the vaccine into people’s arms instead of having unused doses sitting in freezers.
"We need the state to give us the green light to move forward and set a timeline," she added.
Others in Phase 2 include those age 65 and over, adults with two comorbidities, and other essential workers, such as transit, grocery, utility, food and agriculture, sanitation, public works and public health employees.
"Everyone in Phase 2 has good reason to be prioritized," said Najimy. "When the state protects educators, it is also protecting students and families. Vaccinating educators allows more students to be taught in person, reducing the stress and burden on families to manage remote learning and helping more parents and caregivers to return to work. It’s a win-win on so many levels."
Vaccinating staff doesn’t eliminate the risk for students.
"The CDC’s latest guidance has been clear," Najimy noted. "Preventing transmission in school means the spread must be controlled in the community.
"Other mitigation strategies must include frequent, rapid in-school testing, ventilation systems that control infection, increasing distancing by reducing in-building density, masking and handwashing," she continued. "Couple these with the vaccine and the risks can be minimized."
MTA and locals take action to expedite shots for educators
The MTA’s efforts to expedite the educator vaccinations have been bolstered by local actions. Dozens of locals and school superintendents in the Northeast, Metro and Cape regions have sent letters to the governor urging him to vaccinate school staff quickly. Nearly 4,000 MTA members, using the Action Network tool linked to from the MTA website, have made a similar case for both school and higher education employees. The state took notice. "Until we have an approved plan, members should keep sending those messages," said Najimy.
Once a plan is approved, the unions will run an education and social media campaign to generate enthusiasm and solidarity among members and encourage them to participate. The MTA will be producing a button that will let people know that an educator has been vaccinated.
"With member activism and support from other unions and the state, we believe that we can soon make this goal a reality," Najimy concluded.
For updates, visit massteacher.org.
