“I would feel safe” Lansing’s teacher responds to COVID-19 vaccine approval for children 5 years and older

LANSING, Michigan (WLNS) – The coronavirus continues to affect teachers and their classrooms.

The FDA has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. According to the CDC, its Advisory Committee on Vaccination Practices will meet to discuss recommendations for this age group for the vaccines.

EC3, known as an educational day care center in Lansing, teaches children up to 6 years of age. Educators at the center hope that getting a vaccine approved for younger groups could help bring times back to normal.

“I think it would make me feel a little more confident,” said Wanda Bancroft, a teacher at EC3.

Bancroft says she feels relieved to get vaccine approval for younger populations.

“If it gets us back to some sort of normal and keeps everyone healthy, I’m for it,” said Bancroft.

Bancroft shared 6 News that they will require masking requirements in classrooms, the school will not hold large gatherings, share educational materials, and parents will not be allowed into the classroom to avoid exposure to COVID-19.

“We have very limited opportunities to leave the center for excursions and bring people into the center,” explained Bancroft.

Betsy Clinton, whose program director at EC3 says she was waiting for the FDA and CDC to approve a vaccine for children. Clinton claims this could be the first step in getting back to pre-pandemic study times in the classroom.

“The idea of ​​getting back to normal just feels so unreachable right now, and I’m sure all teachers are just waiting for the moment when they can talk face-to-face with the kids again,” said Clinton.

Bancroft told 6 News it had been hard for her not to openly show affection to children in the classroom. She says she misses hugging and high-fiveing ​​kids for doing well.

Bancroft is only asking parents to bring their children home healthy during the pandemic.

More information on COVID-19 vaccines can be found here.