State Senator Cleo Fields urges governor to include educators in vaccine eligibility

District 14 State Senator Cleo Fields, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, is urging Governor John Bel Edwards to include K-12 educators in the current phase of COVID-19 vaccination distribution.

Yesterday, the governor announced that Louisiana is receiving an increase in vaccine doses and that eligibility for the vaccines will be expanded to a lower age group as well as certain personnel, including law enforcement, first responders, and election workers. Fields believes that teachers should be part of this expansion.

In a letter penned to the governor, Fields writes, “I believe it is critical that our K12 educators be prioritized in the current phase of distribution so that they may continue to focus on teaching and feel safe returning to the classroom.”

Over half of American states have made some or all of teachers eligible to receive the vaccine. Fields said that it is imperative for Louisiana to follow suit.

“I feel Louisiana should immediately expand eligibility to our educators,” adds Fields. “Their service and dedication to this great state cannot be overstated and we should ensure their service does not unduly put their health, or their families’ health, in a precarious situation.”

A copy of the letter to the governor is attached.

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