On January 4, Mayor Bowser and DC Health announced during a COVID situational update that vaccinations for "workers in PreK-12 educational settings and childcare settings" would begin on January 25. This policy made sense because many childcare centers have been open to care for DC's youngest citizens throughout the pandemic and during the entire 2020-21 academic year. On January 19, Mayor Bowser reversed course, removing childcare teachers and staff from the January 25 vaccine rollout, even though the Mayor moved forward with the plan to provide vaccines for DCPS and DC charter school employees (and despite the fact that those schools were virtual all fall and remain online). We urge the Mayor to reconsider her decision to remove childcare teachers and staff from the January 25 vaccine rollout for teachers. Vaccines should immediately be made available for these crucial workers that have provided in-person care throughout the pandemic.

When the virus struck, childcare workers rolled up their sleeves and put on their masks so they could provide in-person instruction and care to children. In doing so, they helped ensure those kids will develop the social and educational skills necessary to become thriving and successful adults. They also provided childcare that allowed essential workers throughout DC to continue working during the pandemic. Childcare teachers have shown up, in-person, at schools and childcare centers to teach and take care of young kids throughout the pandemic because they are mission driven and care passionately about the benefits of providing in-person learning and socialization for children.

Removing childcare teachers and staff from the January 25 vaccine rollout for school teachers and staff was a cruel blow to a small group of workers who have provided critical services to DC throughout the pandemic. Just as it is critical to vaccinate DCPS teachers so they will eventually return to the classroom, it is crucial—and equitable—to provide vaccinations for the childcare teachers and workers who have swallowed their fears, donned their PPE, and shown up at work day after day to provide crucial care for DC's children. Vaccinations for DC's in-person childcare teachers and staff should begin on January 25, as originally promised, and at the same time as vaccinations begin for DCPS and charter school teachers and staff.