FRANKFORT, Ky. — Vaccinations are ramping up in the Commonwealth. As Kentucky moves into Phase 1B, teachers will be among the next in line.
What You Need To Know
- Teachers are next in line to receive COVID-19 vaccines in Kentucky
- Some districts have already begun vaccinating educators, but Louisville and Lexington will begin in the next few weeks
- Drive-thru vaccine clinics will accept patients in Phase 1B in Lexington next week
- Kroger's regional drive-thru vaccine facilities, opening the week of Feb. 1, will accept Phases 1A, 1B, and 1C
Kentucky Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Jason Glass said if any teacher hasn't heard when they can get their vaccine yet, they will soon.
"We’ve already seen a small number of school districts already start vaccinating their staff as they got through their medical professionals and older Kentuckians," Glass said. "We will see that start to accelerate even faster in the next couple weeks."
He said vaccinations will help schools that have been virtual-only return to in-person instruction soon. With that being said, safety measures will continue.
"We still have to keep up those virus mitigation strategies even though we can return to in-person learning because we don't have a vaccine that is approved for children, and we can still spread it through our communities through in-person contact in schools," Glass said.
The drive-thru vaccination location at Louisville's Broadbent Arena has played a role in ramping up vaccination efforts. Teachers will soon be able to roll through to get their first dose.
Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said this is a major step towards a return to in-person instruction. The school district has been holding virtual learning since March.
"We know this is a huge step forward for us in getting there. I am so thankful we can be on the offense and we can look forward to opening our schools sooner rather than later," Dr. Pollio said during a news conference Friday.
Residents eligible for the vaccine can sign up for an appointment at that site here.
Lexington is also making strides to ramp up vaccinations. In a release Friday, University of Kentucky president Eli Capilouto said, in partnership with UK HealthCare, UK will be opening up a mass vaccination site at Kroger Field Tuesday.
"We will begin next week vaccinating teachers and employees in kindergarten through grade 12 in schools in our community. We are working directly with school officials on that process. We are excited to partner with the state and our schools," Capilouto said in that note published Friday.
Eligible Kentuckians can sign up for an appointment at that site here.
During the governor's Thursday COVID-19 briefing, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said the goal is that all K-12 educators in the Commonwealth will have the opportunity to get their first dose by the end of the first week of February.