Coronavirus vaccinations: Teachers welcome prospect of being given priority for Covid jabs

A leaked Public Health England document suggests that the government may change emphasis to target vaccines at those more likely to transmit coronavirus rather than those who are most vulnerable to infection - as long as evidence shows the jabs can stop the spread of the virus.

While the current first phase is centred on those most likely to die from Covid infection the shift in focus could see the prioritisation of frontline sectors including the police, other emergency services and teachers.

The Cowplain School headteacher Ian Gates said: ‘If you want schools to open safely then it seems sensible to prioritise the vaccination of the staff who work there. This would not only help in reducing rates of transmission but will also give teachers and support staff peace of mind.

‘It’s right to look at groups which have the greatest risks – including teachers. However each group will need to be risk-assessed on which is at greater risk of being ill from the virus.’

It’s a sentiment shared by Priory School headteacher Stewart Vaughan who added: ‘If the government say it’s a priority to open schools then the vaccination of members of staff must be a priority. We don’t want to be considered ahead of the elderly, vulnerable and NHS staff but I think if we are now moving to look at other sectors then we should certainly be considered.’

Reports also suggest the vaccination of school children is also being considered although this would firstly require the approval of the use of the vaccine on under 18s.

Mr Gates said: ‘The transmission rates for secondary aged children before Christmas was very high and so this could be a logical step if the government are looking to vaccinate those groups where you have the highest transmission rates. However more research needs to be done.’

Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet member for education Suzy Horton agrees with the potential shift in focus.

She said: ‘Once the most vulnerable have been vaccinated then it makes complete sense to then vaccinate frontline workers and in order to get us back to a sense of normality schools need to be part of that. A nurse working in a Covid intensive care unit should obviously be given priority but there’s then a debate about who should be considered next and teachers deserve to be part of that.’

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The potential news has been cautiously welcomed by the National Education Union.

Portsmouth teacher and union representative Amanda Martin said: ‘The NEU have long argued that it’s important to vaccinate front-line workers, especially given the data released yesterday by the Department for Education regards rates of infections in schools - but it must not shift the vaccination away from vulnerable members of society who have previously been promised the vaccination and who are at increased risk of catching and becoming very unwell with Covid.

‘Plans should have been put in place months ago. We knew a vaccination would arrive at some point so a strategic plan could have been formed covering all aspects of a national vaccination programme.’

The policy of priority vaccination of all frontline workers was also welcomed by Roger Batterbury from Healthwatch Portsmouth.

Roger said: ‘It’s long overdue. While people have been shielding and staying at home to do their bit in this pandemic, shop workers, bus drivers, police and teachers have still been doing their jobs. They have kept the country running and they deserve to be protected.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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