MISSOULA — Missoula County Public School administrators are exploring the idea of getting state authorization to provide COVID-19 vaccinations for teachers and staff.
The move comes as the district prepares for more in-class learning as the new semester starts at the end of this month.
Superintendent Rob Watson says the district is watching the changing state and federal vaccination protocols, especially after teachers were recently bumped back to the 1C phase.
"It was set at 75. The governor lowered it to 70. The federal government is looking at lowering it to 65. So, I think you're right. We may see 65 and older or vulnerable health condition in that 1B group," Watson said.
That means some of the district's older teachers and staff could receive shots sooner.
But Watson says the district is also checking to see if MCPS nurses could be authorized to handle vaccinations for younger staff.
"We're pursuing an option to become a vaccine provider. We've got nurses that could do that, could provide the vaccine," Watson explained. "That's still in the proposal phase. We haven't been approved yet from the state."
Watson told trustees this week the district would depend on support from the Missoula City-County Health Department and the University of Montana to conduct those vaccinations if approved.