Deadline for public comment on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for Phase 1B is Monday

A group of state health leaders wants your feedback on who should be included in the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Teachers could be one of the groups selected.

One Milwaukee teacher told CBS 58 she is ready to get back in the classroom – but only when it’s safe.

“Teachers are important. Teachers are over-essential workers. They are superheroes, for sure," said Tenia Fisher.

Fisher is a first-grade teacher at Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy, a charter school in Milwaukee.

She said they’ve been doing virtual learning since last March.

“There’s nothing that can compare to in-person teaching, at all," she said.

And in-person learning could soon be possible.

The Wisconsin State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee  (SDMAC) recommended those in education and childcare to be among other groups in the next phase of vaccinations.

They also include: 

• People above 70 years of age
• IRIS & Family Care Recipients
• Congregate Living
• Public-facing essential workers
• Non-EMS first responders
• Non-frontline health care personnel
• Mink husbandry

“However we can’t wait until those decisions are made to begin to plan and prepare for expanding access and so those plans are underway and I think you will see expansion into other groups within that 1B category very soon," DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said.

Once SDMAC makes its choice, she said they will forward it to the DHS Secretary and Gov. Evers for a final decision.

Fisher said she still has reservations about the vaccine, it’s effectiveness and the public’s willingness to get it.

“What about the kids, what about their parents, what about their families?" she questioned.

But she said she misses her students.

“First I would love to hug them and tell them that we love them and to be able to teach them in person," she added.

The public comment period will close at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, January 18.

Send an email to: [email protected]

Include “vaccine subcommittee” and “Phase 1B” in the email subject line.