NASHVILLE — About one in three Tennessee teachers who took a recent teacher association survey indicated they planned to take a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.
The survey was distributed to mostly Tennessee educators the week of Dec. 6 regarding the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. The Professional Educators of Tennessee wanted to find out what educators were feeling regarding the vaccine.
Of the 1,400 respondents who took the survey, nearly 1,300 indicated that they were either a public or private school educator.
While 80% of respondents agreed that immunizations are an effective way to stop the spread of infectious diseases, only 55% thought that school employees should be considered “essential workers” (i.e., healthcare workers) and be elevated in priority with the COVID-19 immunization program.
Not only that, but only 33% of educators said that they would volunteer to take the vaccination leaving 48% who would not be vaccinated and 19% undecided.
Forty percent indicated they would take it if mandated by state or federal law while 42% stated they would not take the vaccine. Seventeen percent remain undecided.
if required as a condition for employment, 41% indicated that they would take the vaccine, while 39% said they would not. Nineteen percent were undecided.
Over 70% of respondents agreed that teachers and students who refused the vaccine for religious reasons should still be allowed to attend school.
When it comes to state mandates, 48% felt that the General Assembly should create a statewide vaccination policy, while 27% thought they should not create a vaccination policy. Twenty-five percent were undecided.
Professional Educators of Tennessee Executive Director JC Bowman said: “This is a difficult time for our educators and opinions still may change. However, most respondents think teachers are essential and want the vaccine to be offered but not required. They don’t think there has been enough testing on the vaccine to assure that it is safe. Basically, no one thinks they should be forced to take it.”
