90 Percent Of HCPSS Educators Vaccinated

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — More than 90 percent of Howard County Public School System educators have been vaccinated, receiving either their first dose or are scheduled for their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Approximately 9,300 HCPSS employees requested the vaccine. This week, HCPSS anticipates an additional 300 doses to be provided by Johns Hopkins Medicine. Once administered, these additional doses are expected to bring the HCPSS staff vaccination percentage closer to 95 percent.

“Howard County has worked closely with the HCPSS to ensure that our educators and school staff are prioritized as they head back to the classrooms,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “This vaccination effort is a monumental undertaking and we’re proud of how quickly we have been able to get shots in arms. As many in our community look forward to their chance to be vaccinated, this is great progress to moving towards additional groups and phases.”

HCPSS Superintendent Michael Martirano said the vaccine provides "one layer of protection."

"We have made tremendous progress locally with vaccinations," Martirano said.

Chao Wu, chair of the board of education for Howard County said, “As we transition to Phase II of the HCPSS bridge to normalized instruction, and additional staff and students return to buildings, we are encouraged by this significant accomplishment."

"We have been facing various challenges and uncertainties along this journey. However, I want to thank the superintendent and his team for their collaboration with the county and communication with our staff and contractors to help achieve this high level of vaccine administration," Wu said.

HCPSS is working with its contractors to ensure that all bus drivers and temporary support personnel who have not been vaccinated yet are scheduled for a future clinic through the county health department or Johns Hopkins. HCPSS also administered a survey this week to understand how many staff have not yet received a vaccine so that those staff members who wish to can be contacted individually for future HCHD clinic appointments.

"The safe, efficient vaccination of our educators has been possible due to partnerships with Howard County Government and HCPSS," Dr. Maura Rossman, Howard County Health Officer, said. "We remain committed to providing this life-saving vaccine to all of the high-priority groups in our community so that we can safely return to school, return to work and return to normal."