On Friday, officials with the El Paso Independent School District has been designated as a COVID vaccine provider by the Texas Department of State Health Services in an effort to increase the number of educators in the region who have been vaccinated against the virus.
“EPISD has worked diligently to make sure our employees have access to safe and secure learning and work environments,” said Interim Superintendent Vince Sheffield. “The designation as a vaccine provider gives us an additional level of support for our teachers and employees and it will accelerate our efforts to get a shot of the vaccine in the arms of any employee who wishes to get one.”
The District is one of two in the area that have received this designation and now await the availability of vaccines to begin making them available to employees.
Thanks to partnerships with the City of El Paso, the University of Texas at El Paso, University Medical Center and the Hospitals of Providence, EPISD already has vaccinated about 3,000 of its 8,000 employees.
The District announced earlier this week that it had opened a registration portal for its employees to streamline vaccination appointments with area partners as they become available.
The designation as a vaccine provider also will benefit neighboring school districts, Sheffield said.
During a meeting of Region 19 superintendents earlier this week, EPISD and the Ysleta Independent School District agreed to share resources with other regional school districts as soon as vaccines arrive.
“EPISD stands ready to help school district essential employees.” Sheffield said.
