Teachers call to be moved further up the vaccine priority list

The Prime Minister announced today (Wednesday 27 Jan) that children will not be able to return to school after the February half-term break but could begin returning to the classroom from 8 March if infection rates fall.

Boris Johnson delays reopening of schools in England until at least March 8

The headteacher of Herne Junior School in Petersfield says vaccination of all school staff is now vital before schools can open any more widely. He believes his staff must be moved up the vaccine priority list.

Recent analysis from a teaching union found infection rates in secondary and primary school teachers were 1.9 times higher than in the general population, though these finding were questioned by the government.

In special schools infection rates were found to be higher - with rates twice as high among teachers - and up to 7 times higher among teaching assistants and other staff.

The headteacher of Oakgrove College in Sussex, Phillip Potter, says special needs schools have a strong case for special treatment.

Simon Knight from the Frank Wise School at Banbury in Oxfordshire agrees - and says the government have failed to understand the specific challenges special school staff face.

The government says they are following independent medical advice on who should be vaccinated in what order - and that any key workers who fall into priority groups such as those over the age of 50 will be vaccinated in line with recommendations. 

Chair of the Kent Association of Headteachers Alan Brookes says teachers should be higher up the priority list - but the next best thing would be to offer them any vaccines leftover from clinics rather than letting doses go to waste.

Mr Brookes, who is also the executive headteacher of Fulston Manor School at Sittingbourne, says Public Health England should keep a record of teacher mobile numbers so they can call on them at short notice to receive jabs.

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