Florida teachers request to be next group to receive full access to COVID-19 vaccines

ORLANDO, Fla. — There’s a growing battle between Florida and its teachers inside the state over the current distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

Some teachers in the state over the age of 65 have been vaccinated, but the superintendent of Orange County Public Schools said it’s a vital tool that should be available to all staff.

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The state government maintains that others must come first.

Right now, teachers can receive the COVID-19 vaccine in about 50% of the country.

But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there’s increasing data showing schools can operate safely in person without it.

Watch: ‘COVID vaccines available to those under 65 deemed ‘extremely vulnerable,’ but who’s included?

Many school employees in Central Florida are not happy to hear that and said they won’t feel safe until they can get the vaccine.

Education leaders said they’re not asking to cut first responders or health care workers in line, they just want to go next when the doses are available.

As teachers across Florida work face-to-face with students, many are also petitioning the state to make their environment safer.

Watch: ‘Orlando Health says 90% of its doctors have received COVID-19 vaccine

There are several petitions asking Gov. Ron DeSantis to prioritize vaccinating Florida teachers, and one is very close to its goal of 500 signatures.

See the full report in the video above.

Cox Media Group