LYNCHBURG, Va. – While some parts of Virginia roll into the Phase 1-B vaccine distribution stage, others are still behind in the first phase.
Lynchburg is one area waiting to shift into Phase 1-B — and teachers are part of that next group.
There are growing concerns that as cases continue to rise in the community, vaccines aren’t available to educators.
Karl Loos, president of the Lynchburg Education Association, says teachers and staff are still coming in close contact with students and one another, even on a hybrid schedule.
“We put our staff right back in the frontline during the most infectious time of this pandemic so far,” said Loos.
During Tuesday’s school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Crystal Edwards said she’s working closely with the Department of Health to find out when the vaccine will be available.
“We’re next. We’re close,” Edwards said.
But Loos adds that when the vaccines are available, they won’t be a sudden solution.
“Once [vaccines] get here, it’s going to take some time for us to administer both sets of shots. It’s going to take some time for those shots to take effect,” said Loos.
There is no date set for when Lynchburg and its surrounding counties will enter the next phase, but VDH says it will “happen as soon as possible.”