Jabs route will get our schools through crisis

AS summer comes to an end, we have enjoyed a period of relative normality compared to the testing months earlier this year. Through our world-beating vaccine programme, we have been able to enjoy the small things we took for granted before the pandemic, which make life worthwhile.

As your local MP, I am committed to ensuring that we keep businesses and schools in South Derbyshire open and keep Britain moving.

But we cannot be complacent. As we move into winter, we need to continue to build our ‘wall of defence’ against the virus.

That is why I welcome the Government’s decision to offer the jab to 12-15-year-olds and booster jabs to the over-50s.

The closure of schools in the early stage of the pandemic, and over Christmas was deeply regrettable. Going to school is essential for children’s health as well as their future.

To deprive a child of socialisation, learning and other life opportunities is something no MP decides lightly.

By offering the jab to school children, we will lessen the virus’ transmissibility, protect vulnerable children and ensure that education can continue throughout winter.

Consent forms are being sent to parents, and I would strongly encourage anyone with a child to allow their child to receive the jab.

We know the vaccination has been our strongest weapon against the virus. Some 83% of residents in South Derbyshire have now had both jabs, which has slashed the risk of hospitalisation with the disease dramatically.

The booster programme will reinforce our protection and is the first line of mitigating measures the Government is taking to protect against the reintroduction of restrictions.

The Delta variant, which originated in India, is still managing to find pockets of the almost 6 million unvaccinated adults.

And we know that while vaccinating children and offering boosters will allow schools to continue face-to-face learning, and protect our most vulnerable, it is by getting a first jab that we can do the most to blunt the impact of the Delta variant and bring the pandemic to an end.

I would say to all of you who are yet to have the jab: take that first step.

The vaccines are safe, highly effective and according to Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van Tam, they have saved more than 112,000 lives.

The past 18 months have been extremely difficult for all of us, but we now know the only way we can control the virus is through vaccination and vaccinating our youngsters is the next step.

We need to move beyond the pandemic and get on with levelling up the country and creating opportunities for all – and you can be assured I will be your local champion for those and all other issues.