Burnham in call for teachers to get vaccine

ANDY BURNHAM has added his voice to those calling for teaching staff to be vaccinated for Covid-19 ahead of schools reopening next month.

The Greater Manchester mayor was reacting to the Government’s decision to delay the return of secondary school pupils until 18 January.

Only exam year groups will receive online teaching from January 11, before all pupils return the week after, subject to a review.

All primary schools will reopen as planned on Monday, apart from some in Tier 4 areas in London and the south east.

When asked if he thought all primary schools should have closed in Tier 4, Mr Burnham said ‘the decision has been made’ but admitted that confidence in the reopening of schools is ‘lacking’.

“I think this is very much to be acknowledged given that we are in Tier 4, there is a concern about the new strain, it is a worry I’m sure for many teachers and support staff to be going back into the school environment next week,” he said.

“It’s clear the government has made a decision to do everything possible to keep schools operational.

“One thing I would want them to consider is whether or not, in addition to the vaccine being supplied to the ten priority groups, whether the government could come to an agreement with the manufacturers of the vaccine to make stocks available to allow a vaccination programme for teachers and support staff.

“I think that would build confidence that schools are being safely reopened.

“Perhaps if there was a shortage of supply it could be offered to the more vulnerable members of teaching staff or support staff. I think it’s a valid concern that has been raised by professional bodies representing teachers, I think it’s a fair call, and I would ask the government to look and see if it’s possible to build more confidence around the reopening of schools.”

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said that when it came to ‘future waves’ of the vaccine roll-out, ‘I’ll be wanting to see teachers and all those support staff being up there on that list getting that vaccine’.