Pre-K educators, K-12 teachers, and childcare workers added to the current COVID-19 eligibility phase

Statement on Federal School and Childcare Vaccination Plan

3-2-21

President Biden announced a directive to all states to get every pre-K educator, K-12 teacher, and childcare worker at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine in the month of March.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) recognizes the importance of vaccinating educators, school staff, and childcare workers. School staff and childcare workers were already in the next group to become eligible for vaccines, and our state was moving to vaccinate them in a matter of weeks. This announcement represents a faster timeline than originally planned, and the department is engaging partners on a robust plan to support this directive.

For the full DOH News Release click here

Those now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine in Washington are:

• Workers in health care at high risk for COVID-19
• First responders at high risk for COVID-19
• People who live or work in long-term care settings
• People age 65 and older
• People who live in multigenerational housing
• K-12 educators/staff
• Child care workers

Due to the limited amount of vaccines we are receiving, NEW Health encourages those looking to get the vaccine contact Northeast Tri County Health District, the DOH’s mass vaccination site, Safeway Pharmacy, Valley Drug Pharmacy, Kettle Falls Pharmacy, Costco, Walmart, Rite Aid or Kroger to schedule an appointment or get added to their wait lists.

The pharmacies listed above are part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, which will prioritize educators at their sites through the end of March.