Education secretary: Vaccinating teachers ‘my top priority’

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said Wednesday, the day after he was sworn in, that ensuring that teachers are swiftly vaccinated so that schools can reopen is his “top priority.”

“We must continue to reopen America’s schools for in-person learning as quickly and as safely as possible. The president recognizes this, which is why he took bold action yesterday to get teachers and school staff vaccinated quickly,” Cardona said while touring a Connecticut school with first lady Jill Biden.

“As secretary of Education, that is my top priority,” he added.

His remarks came after President Biden on Tuesday called on all states to prioritize teachers for COVID-19 vaccinations in order for all teachers and school staff to have received at least one dose of vaccine by the end of this month.

The trip on Wednesday represented an effort by the Biden administration to show support for schools as they take steps to reopen. Biden has set a goal for most schools to physically reopen in his first 100 days in office.