More than 18,000 W.Va. teachers have received first dose of vaccine

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — More than 18,000 teachers in West Virginia have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of the Jan. 19 return to in-person learning for many schools across the state.

In a survey conducted before vaccines were available to teachers by the West Virginia Department of Education, around 31,000 teachers said they wanted the vaccine.

Huntington High School government and psychology teacher, Steve Freeman, got his first dose on the first day it was available in Cabell County, about two weeks ago.

"Hopefully it was the first step to getting back to normal," Freeman said. "And I think that's where we all want to be. We want to be back to normal."

Dr. Krista Capehart, associate professor at the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy said she's working with the response team in charge to allocating the vaccines for teachers to clinics across the state.

"We've been able to have 56 clinics," Capehart said. "So, we did two in Kanawha County, and one in each of the additional counties utilizing a combination of pharmacies, community health clinics, and one local health department. We've been able to knock out about 9,000 teachers each week."

Freeman said more vaccines can't come soon enough, because he said his students miss socializing with their friends. He said they have hopes of going to the prom and attending graduation this spring.

"School is more than sitting in a classroom and learning," Freeman said. "It is the entire experience and they've missed out on so much of the experience of school."

About 2,600 vaccines are expected to be sent out for teachers next week.

"As doses are allocated to different groups, I'll work with our pharmacies across the state as well as our health departments," Capehart said. "It's truly a team effort. So, I'll work with the various vaccinators across the state to coordinate whatever is necessary to get the population of West Virginia vaccinated and protected."

The next phase of vaccinations for teachers will be available to anyone 18 and older who has direct contact with students.