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COVID-19 Vaccine Available for New York’s Early Childhood Educators

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The COVID-19 vaccine is now available for all early childhood educators in New York State. New Yorkers eligible for the vaccine include:

  1. P-12 Schools: P-12 school or school district faculty or staff (includes all teachers, substitute teachers, student teachers, school administrators, paraprofessional staff and support staff including bus drivers)
  2. Contractors working in a P-12 school or school district (including contracted bus drivers)
  3. Licensed, registered, approved or legally exempt group: Childcare Providers Employees or Support Staff of Licensed or Registered Childcare Setting

All vaccinations are by appointment only. Eligibility determinations and a list of nearby providers where appointments can be scheduled can all be done through New York’s new ‘Am I Eligible ” app. New Yorkers can begin calling the New York State Vaccination Hotline at 4PM on Monday, January 11: 1-833-NYS-4VAX (1-833-697-4829). 

If you are in NYC, use the NYC COVID-19 Vaccine Finder to find convenient provider locations administering COVID-19 vaccines and schedule appointments for vaccination. See Child Care Workers Now Eligible to be Vaccinated – New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for FAQs about the vaccine.

For more information about the vaccine and to check your eligibility, see Guidance for the New York State Vaccination Program or visit New York State’s website.

30 thoughts on “COVID-19 Vaccine Available for New York’s Early Childhood Educators”

  2. As a mother who has no other options for childcare, and is breastfeeding meaning I’m the only source of food support for my child, can this qualify me as eligible for the vaccine?

  3. Thanks for reaching out. Since we are not public experts we are sharing the information found on the New York State Dept. of Health website.
    Eligible New Yorkers in Phase 1a and 1b are:
    P-12 school (public or non-public) or school district faculty or staff (includes all teachers, substitute teachers, student teachers, school administrators, paraprofessional staff, and support staff including bus drivers)
    Check out their website for more information: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/phased-distribution-vaccine

  4. Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately the state has not provided clear guidance about whether or not homeschool teachers are eligible for the vaccine at this time. Our role is to share the information found on the New York State Dept. of Health website: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/. The Governor recently released new guidelines, we continue to check the site for announcements and updates.

  5. Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately the state has not provided clear guidance about whether or not unemployed teachers are eligible for the vaccine at this time. Our role is to share the information found on the New York State Dept. of Health website: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/. The Governor recently released new guidelines, we continue to check the site for announcements and updates.

  6. Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately the state has not provided clear guidance about whether or not nannies are eligible for the vaccine at this time. Our role is to share the information found on the New York State Dept. of Health website. We continue to check the site for announcements and updates. The Governor has released new guidance about who else will be eligible starting on March 17th but it does not mention nannies. https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov

  7. Question: I am on the substitute list, but have not been in a building this year. Am I eligible for the vaccine?

  8. My daughter home schools her 4 children (started long before Covid BTW) is she eligible for the vaccine?

  9. As a teacher unemployed due to pandemic, do I qualify to get the vaccine? If so what proof do I use?

  10. I am an in home nanny for two 6 month old babies! Am I eligible for the vaccine or is there guidance on when I will be eligible?

  11. Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately the state has not provided clear guidance about whether or not dance educators are eligible for the vaccine at this time . Our role is to share the information found on the New York State Dept. of Health website: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/. We continue to check the site for announcements and updates.

  12. Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately the state has not provided clear guidance about whether or not nannies are eligible for the vaccine at this time. Our role is to share the information found on the New York State Dept. of Health website: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/. We continue to check the site for announcements and updates.

  13. Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately the state has not provided clear guidance about whether or not nannies are eligible for the vaccine at this time . Our role is to share the information found on the New York State Dept. of Health website: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/. We continue to check the site for announcements and updates.

  14. Hi.
    I have already checked the “who is eligible” page multiple times but am in an bit of a gray area and looking for guidance. I am a dance educator of K-12 aged students in a studio setting. Am I eligible for the vaccine? I do not want to cut any lines but am in direct contact with children teaching every week and curious as I feel this is a gray area. Can you advise? And if eligible, what proof would you require for appointment? Thank you so much.

  15. The documents aren’t very clear. Can you please answer yes/no as to whether in-home nannies are eligible?

  17. Hi Nicole,

    Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately we are not public health experts so we are not qualified to provide information on vaccine distribution. As you know, New York State is coordinating the vaccine distribution plan so we are directing readers to the NYS Department of Health website. There is a section called COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Providers that should be helpful: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-vaccine-information-providers. If it is still not clear and you have additional questions, there is contact information provided under Step 3.

  18. Hey Alyssa,
    I am a nurse practitioner in New York State. I was recently contacted by my children’s daycare to see how I could go about getting vaccines for the staff. To be clear via text, no one was asking me to order vaccines for them but rather, seeking direction on how to obtain it for them. They don’t have a medical person as part of their staff. They were inquiring about whether or not they could order vaccines and have them administered under the supervision of A medical provider. I did review the current literature and I don’t find Anything that will cover this request. Please let me know how you guys have guided other early childhood programs that don’t have a medical director. I appreciate any direction as I certainly want to help them access the vaccine. I am willing to oversee and administer for them as a licensed provider in New York and as a parent of a child in the program, it would be my honor. But I’m not sure that that is even possible, to obtain The vaccines for distribution. Figured it didn’t hurt to post here. I welcome any feedback and direction or suggestions.

  22. (Before you refer me to the “Check Your Eligibility” page, I have already reviewed it. I just have some specific questions about my specific situation.) I am a caregiver for two young children in a private home. Am I eligible for the vaccination even though I am not certified? If I am, what should I bring as proof.

  23. Are employees of drop in childcare programs, for hybrid students, eligible? I can’t figure out where they are classified.

  27. I am a nanny. I work in a private home, but I am not licensed, because we are not required to be. Can I get vaccinated?

  29. Hi Laura,

    You should bring a verification letter as proof of employment.You can request one from your employer.

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