Livingston Officials Expect “Multiplier Effect” to Occur as Teachers Get Vaccinated – TAPinto.net

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A new initiative announced on Friday to prioritize vaccinations for teachers and school support staff will begin on Monday, March 22, with special appointments now available exclusively to those residing in Essex County or working at public, private, charter and parochial schools in Essex County.

Livingston Mayor Shawn Klein, who authored a letter to the governor’s office in February that was signed by 16 mayors advocating to get New Jersey teachers vaccinated as part of the next group, was enthusiastic about this latest step in the vaccination process and encouraged all childcare professionals to register for an appointment.

“One of the things that the council thought was really important was to do what we could to get teachers back to school as fast as possible; so getting the teachers vaccinated was a huge priority for us, and Livingston was absolutely at the forefront for the entire state of pushing for that,” said Klein, adding that Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller, who also serves as vice president of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), felt that Klein’s letter made the difference at the state level. “A few days later, we took a call with the governor’s office and with a lot of the mayors, and we just really pushed the point that we think that getting teachers vaccinated was crucial to returning to normal life.”

Klein and his fellow mayors also urged the state to consider the “multiplier effect” that occurs once teachers start getting vaccinated.

“When you get one teacher vaccinated, suddenly you have 22 students that can come to school,” he said. “That then takes care of 22 families where maybe the parents can go back to work while, and you’re also improving the mental health of 22 kids.”

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, who also participated in the phone call between the mayors and Gov. Phil Murphy last month, stated on Friday that receiving the COVID-19 vaccination is “the best weapon we have to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.”

“Vaccinating teachers and school support personnel is the best way for us to reopen our schools and restore in-person instruction for our children,” he said. “We are pleased to offer these special and convenient times for school staff to receive their vaccinations.”

Although Livingston Public Schools has set up its own vaccination program in partnership with a local medical clinic for faculty members to be vaccinated in early April, local teachers and support staff who either prefer to do so sooner or who reside in Livingston but work elsewhere will be able to take advantage of the county program.

Childcare providers became eligible for the vaccine across the state on March 15. As of 5 p.m. on Friday, a special button has been placed on www.EssexCOVID.org for teachers and support staff members to click in order to secure an appointment. Appointments for the Moderna vaccine will be made available to them from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, March 22 through Friday, March 26 at the Essex County vaccination center at the Kmart in West Orange.

Teachers and support staff members are required to bring their school district identification card or badge with them. Anyone unable to present an ID or badge will not receive a vaccine. Walk-ups will also not be accommodated.

According to DiVincenzo, additional appointment times will be added the following week if needed.

Teachers and support staff who reside or work in Essex County can visit www.EssexCOVID.org to make an appointment.