Massachusetts' mass COVID-19 vaccination sites held their first clinics specifically designated for educators and school staff, Saturday.
The state has designated four days where its mass vaccination sites will only offer first dose appointments for K-12 educators, K-12 school staff and child care workers. The dates include: March 27, April 3, April 10 and April 11.
A total of 400,000 school and childcare workers are now eligible for a vaccine in the state, officials say.
While some had to wait longer than they had hoped for educators to become eligible, teachers and staff members of childcare centers alike are glad to be included now.
“We were really waiting in line and we kept getting pushed back further and further and then when they recognized all teachers and included us in that, that was really important," said Pam Penton from the Meeting House Child Care Center.
The seven mass vaccination sites include Gillette Stadium, the Hynes Convention Center, the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, the DoubleTree in Danvers, the Eastfield Mall in Springfield, the Natick Mall and the former Circuit City in Dartmouth.
Saturday marked the last time educators would have a dedicated day at Fenway Park, which will soon be fully replaced as a mass vaccination site by the Hynes Center once the Red Sox begin playing their regular season games.
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Educators are required to use the preregistration system to request an appointment at one of the seven mass vaccination sites and authenticate they are a K-12 educator, K-12 staff member or child care worker.
Workers eligible for the educator-only vaccine days include but are not limited to educators, paraprofessionals /education support professionals, childcare educators, childcare program directors, district and school administrators, custodial staff and food service staff. For a full list of those eligible, click here.
Gov . Charlie Baker earlier this month added educators and school staff to the list of residents eligible for vaccination shots.
The governor's announcement came a day after President Joe Biden urged states to prioritize vaccinations for teachers, and the same day retail pharmacy locations that had been offering vaccinations announced that they would start accepting signups from teachers.
And even as teachers hit the spotlight in getting vaccinated, some are still focused on their students.
“The kids actually are very resilient. They’ve done phenomenal," said Kristin Parent from the Goddard School. "I don’t think I’ve seen many behavioral changes. They’ve been doing great."
