Henrico Schools delay expansion of in-person learning due to vaccination effort

HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - Henrico County Public Schools is delaying the expansion of in-person learning once again due to the COVID-19 vaccination effort.

HCPS employees will be able to start getting the vaccine starting next week as part of the state’s Phase 1b.

In order to expedite the process, HCPS said it learned Tuesday that school nurses will play a part in administering the vaccine to employees, as well as other people who fall into Phase 1b.

With the school nurses helping in the vaccination effort, HCPS has decided to delay expanding in-person learning because having more students return with no nurses in the building does not align with the district’s health plan.

“I hope we can agree that none of us want to bring more students back into buildings without the expected level of student health support, as that is important to fully implementing our COVID-19 Health Plan. For that reason, I believe it is best for learning to continue in the predominantly virtual format for all grade levels until our school nurses can complete this important community need,” a letter to parents said.

Since the vaccination requires two doses given out weeks apart, HCPS officials said the effort may last into mid-February but there is no firm timeline yet.

HCPS will release updated timelines in the future.

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