Democrats in the 11th legislative district on Wednesday joined the calls urging Gov. Phil Murphy to prioritize COVID-19 vaccinations for the state’s teachers.
“We need to ensure they are protected against the virus they are potentially exposed to each and every day,” said Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch). “Adding them to the Group 1B category will show our state appreciates what our teachers, support staff and daycare workers have done for our children, and will also show we recognize the dangers they face every day to do that job.”
Teachers, along with food service workers and public transit employees, along with others working in an essential capacity, are slated to receive vaccines as part of group 1B.
Though the state has extended vaccination eligibility to first responders and those with conditions that make them particularly susceptible to the virus, supply shortages have kept New Jersey from further expansions.
“As teachers continue to put their own health in jeopardy in the classroom each day, it is only fair for these groups to be prioritized into the Group 1B phase so they can be protected while they complete their essential job for our state,” said Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling (D-Neptune).
The 11th is one of a handful of districts expected to see something resembling a competitive race. Gopal in 2017 defeated three-term incumbent Jennifer Beck (R-Red Bank) by 4,148 votes, 54%-46%.
Houghtaling and Assemblywoman Joann Downey (D-Freehold) narrowly won the district’s Assembly seats in 2015. They won re-election in 2017 and 2019 by comfortable margins.
“The State needs to recognize the tremendous effort and sacrifice teachers, support staff, and daycare workers have endured and prioritize this group of individuals to receive the vaccine that can help save lives,” Downey said. “As they continue to work in classrooms and schools with students coming in person, they will continue to be at risk, and we must give them the opportunity to protect themselves if they choose to do so.”