Colorado reaches vaccination goal for school staff, child care workers

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - More than 75% of the school staff, teachers, and child care professionals in Colorado have now been vaccinated for COVID-19, according to the state health department.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment told KRDO Tuesday the state reached its 75% goal for the group over the weekend.

We spoke with District 20 officials to get their reaction to the state reaching this milestone.

"You can physically feel the energy has just shifted," said spokesperson Allison Cortez. "The more folks that get vaccinated in our school walls, it gives a sense of an extra layer of protection."

Cortez told KRDO the vaccinations aren't just great for the health of the teachers, they also help get students back in the classroom.

"Two weeks after they get their second dose, if they happen to be in a situation where they’ve been exposed to COVID, they no longer have to be quarantined," Cortez explained. "So that will be a really big help in getting kids back into the classroom."

While it's illegal to require teachers and school staff to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Cortez told us they've been encouraging it through email reminders.

"We've also heard stories of teachers who have gotten the vaccine and they've talked about the experience, how they feel well, how it was easy, and we've had other people come on board after that," Cortez said. "But at the end of the day, people need to do what's right for them."