The Red Deer Public Schools (RDPS) Board of Trustees has approved a motion to advocate for provincial coverage of COVID-19 vaccinations for teachers and school staff.
At a meeting on September 10, Board member Angela Sommers highlighted the importance of protecting school staff, who play a critical role in maintaining the health, safety, and continuity of learning for students across Alberta.
With COVID-19 continuing to circulate, vaccinations remain a key tool in safeguarding both staff and students.
However, unlike previous years, COVID-19 vaccines are no longer universally covered by the province, creating additional costs for staff who want to protect themselves and their school communities.
The Board cited several reasons for advocating provincial coverage:
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Teachers and education workers interact with large numbers of students daily, increasing their risk of exposure.
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Staff absences due to illness directly affect student learning, classroom stability, and place additional demand on substitute teachers.
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Providing free access to vaccines supports the health and safety of school communities while reducing potential strain on the healthcare system.
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Covering vaccine costs acknowledges the essential role of teachers and school staff in maintaining safe, healthy schools.
As a result of the motion, RDPS will write to the Minister of Education and Childcare, the Minister of Health, and the Premier of Alberta requesting that the government provide COVID-19 vaccinations at no cost to all teachers and education staff who wish to receive them.
**With information from the Red Deer Public Schools
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