Hillsborough Senior Teachers To Receive Coronavirus Vaccines

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Hillsborough County Public Schools announced Wednesday a partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County and Tampa General Hospital for a targeted vaccine initiative for public school employees age 65 years and older.

This program helps to ensure some of the district's most vulnerable employees including teachers, administrators, bus drivers, custodians, student nutrition workers and other school-based staff are vaccinated against the coronavirus.

DOH-Hillsborough is providing the vaccine, and employees who qualify will be directly contacted by TGH to make an appointment either on Friday, Jan. 22, or Saturday, Jan. 23.

Prior to winter break, Superintendent Addison Davis and School Board Chairwoman Lynn Gray sent a letter to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis urging him to include all educators in the next round of vaccinations.

Until the time that all educators are prioritized by the state, the district will continue to work to vaccinate its employees most in need by working through local health partnerships.

“Rest assured that I will continue to advocate for all prekindergarten through 12th-grade educators to be prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Davis. “Educators continue to take on critical roles in our community and it is imperative teachers, administrators and school-based support staff are protected. Each time one of our dedicated employees contracts COVID-19, it jeopardizes the health of our organization and diminishes the quality of the educational experience for our students. We are grateful to Tampa General Hospital for providing the vaccine clinic and workforce to administer the vaccine along with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County, who is supplying the vaccine. Their support and partnership to help our most vulnerable educators is greatly appreciated as we seek to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”

“It’s important to protect our most vulnerable educators,” said Dr. Douglas Holt, DOH-Hillsborough director. “We wish we could include everyone, but with limited vaccine, we need to prioritize those who are most vulnerable first. Once the vaccine is in greater supply, we’ll return and expand the initiative.”

The school district continues to provide multiple learning options, including brick and mortar, where educators and support professionals are in direct contact with students daily. The district’s direct-contact employees include classroom teachers, principals, assistant principals, support professionals, bus drivers, student nutrition services personnel, school nurses, substitute teachers and other school-based personnel.

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