Striving for heard immunity, Chief for Change members support COVID vaccination efforts
Today the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the full approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. The vaccine is the only vaccine approved for use in adolescents 16 or older, and serves as great news for schools across the country. As school districts adjust to providing healthy classrooms, the FDA approval will serve as a comfort to the 30%* of Americans who were willing to take the vaccine, but hesitant to receive it without the agency's full approval.
To help bolster COVID-19 vaccination rates, schools across the nation have expanded their role as educators by becoming critical access points of COVID-19 information for students, staff, and families. With the COVID Delta variant taking its toll on our children, it is our duty as educators to see that no other student succumbs to the epidemic. As a trusted source of credible COVID-19 vaccine information, distribution, tracking and testing, education centers have played a pivotal role in combating COVID.
However to prevent massive outbreaks, unless more faculty staff and families commit to student safety with vaccine inoculations, the fact remains that classrooms across the nation will succumb to weeks of interrupted learning. We all know this is inconducive and sets students back, this is why Chiefs for Change has created a slew of resources to help schools stay in-person and uninterrupted.
Our resources include:
- A comprehensive "Fall 2021 School Reopening Tool Kit" with consultations from leading experts in COVID-19 CDC school guidelines, and strategies for sustainable operation systems. Resources in this report also include:
- a playbook for "COVID-19 testing in K-12 Settings" for educators and leaders;
- a framework to track COVID vaccinations for teachers and staff, provided by "The Hamilton County School Case Study;
- practical tools on "Contact Tracing for COVID;
- a playbook for "COVID-19 testing in K-12 Settings" for educators and leaders;
- a framework to track COVID vaccinations for teachers and staff, provided by "The Hamilton County School Case Study;
- practical tools on "Contact Tracing for COVID;
- a FAQ sheet of "COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Programs" with credible information on vaccine screening, testing, and vaccination programs; and
- a resource guide on the perspectives of those who are vaccine hesitant; "The Day in the Life of" resource simulates the vaccination experience with simple comprehensive information on vaccine safety and its side effects.
- a resource guide on the perspectives of those who are vaccine hesitant; "The Day in the Life of" resource simulates the vaccination experience with simple comprehensive information on vaccine safety and its side effects.
Chief for Change partners with top national experts, to create actionable plans for district and state leaders. To find more resources on how to create safe learning environments during pandemics, and advice on vaccine distribution for educational centers, visit our resources page.
*Based on the June 2021 Report from The Kaiser Family Foundation, as reported by BBC News, "Pfizer becomes first to gain full FDA approval," Bernard Debusmann Jr, Aug. 23, 2021
About Chiefs for Change
Chiefs for Change is a nonprofit, bipartisan network of diverse state and district education chiefs dedicated to preparing all students for today’s world and tomorrow’s through deeply committed leadership. Chiefs for Change advocates for policies and practices that are making a difference today for students, and builds a pipeline of talented, diverse Future Chiefs ready to lead major school systems.
