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RALEIGH — Teachers and school personnel will be first in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when North Carolina starts vaccinating Group 3 essential workers on Feb. 24, Gov. Roy Cooper and N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen announced Wednesday.

Depending on how much demand still exists for Groups 1 and 2, not all providers will be able to start Group 3 vaccinations in accordance with the state’s timeline.

In the state’s vaccination plan, Group 3 includes anyone classified as a frontline essential worker. That group consists of people who work in eight sectors: critical manufacturing, education, essential goods, food and agriculture, government and community services, health care and public health, public safety and transportation. Because that group is so large, the state will start vaccinating those workers in a gradual manner and will move forward with additional frontline workers on March 10.

“I am grateful to all of our educators and school personnel for going above and beyond in this pandemic to care for children and help them continue to learn,” Cooper said. “Starting with a smaller number of Group 3 frontline essential workers helps providers streamline vaccine distribution effectively and efficiently.”

The list of people set to become eligible on Feb. 24 includes teachers, bus and van drivers, custodial and maintenance staff, and food service workers. Staff members in child care centers and homes, Head Start Programs, preschool and pre-K programs, traditional public schools, charter schools and private schools are all covered.

A more detailed breakdown of which positions are covered can be found HERE.

“North Carolina is expected to receive more doses of vaccine over the coming weeks heading into March,” a press release from the governor’s office reads. “This increase and certainty of advance knowledge into the supply chain several weeks out has allowed the state to plan to open vaccinations to group 3. As state officials receive more supply information, additional operational guidance will continue to be provided.”