Biden sends teachers to front of vaccine line

• Teachers will have access to vaccines through the federal government's pharmacy program, starting next week.

State of play: Teachers have said they'd be more willing to return for in-person schooling if they first receive a vaccine.

• More than half of the states have already put teachers in a high-priority category.

The other side: Experts generally agree that it's safe to reopen schools regardless of whether teachers have been vaccinated, as long as safety precautions are followed.

• The move was also criticized for putting teachers who are not currently eligible for the vaccine, based on their age or health conditions, above more vulnerable people.
• "This means taking vaccine away from higher-risk persons & communities of color to vaccine young healthy teachers. This is an ANTI-EQUITY move," tweeted Celine Gounder, a member of Biden's transition coronavirus taskforce.