FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas — The first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Texas on Monday, and frontline health care workers started receiving that vaccine in earnest on Tuesday.

While the first doses of the vaccine are earmarked for those on the health care front lines and people in long-term care facilities, there are those who think teachers and administrators, who come into contact with a large number of people daily, should be moved up on the list.

Capital Tonight on Tuesday reported Texas education advocates are still waiting for an official response from Gov. Greg Abbott on teachers’ place in line for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Among those calling on the governor to make the vaccine available to educators sooner is Fort Bend County Judge KP George.

In a letter dated December 14, George said his county reported 5,000 new cases of COVID-19 in the two weeks following Thanksgiving and teachers and faculty members are particularly vulnerable.

“Especially at risk of contracting this virus are our hardworking teachers and school faculty. As more students go back to in-person schooling, the likelihood of contracting the virus from young individuals who are often asymptomatic can increase,” George wrote. “Older age and pre-existing health conditions can leave teachers and other school staff in danger of facing a more adverse experience from COVID-19. Our teachers and school teams are invaluable community members.”

In addition to accelerated access to vaccines, George asked Abbott for greater access to rapid testing.

“Our experience with the pandemic has demonstrated that testing is key to understanding disease transmission and fighting this virus. Accordingly, Fort Bend County believes that a greater access to testing and vaccinations for school campuses through state partnerships will help curb the risk of infection among teachers, students, and the community at large.”

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