Study of jabs rate in pupils before mask rules can be eased

EXPERTS will study vaccine rates among children before deciding whether face mask rules in schools should be relaxed.

Newly released minutes of the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 advisory subgroup on education show ‘vaccine coverage’ is now being considered alongside case numbers during weekly reviews.

The current rules require pupils to wear face coverings while seated in class and moving about school.

Minutes from the advisory group’s meeting on October 19 say: ‘Following feedback from ministers and the CMO [chief medical officer], the sub-group also agreed it would be helpful for a selection of sub-group members to discuss a key set of indicators on a weekly basis, in order to help inform any ministerial decision on the timing of further easing of restrictions in schools.

‘It was agreed these indicators would include case rates (in the wider population and in children and young people) and available information relating to [vaccination rates] including coverage in child age groups.’ Members also ‘noted the benefits of relaxing restrictions at the earliest possible opportunity’.

Scottish Tory education spokesman Oliver Mundell said: ‘Pupils deserve clarity, rather than shifting goal posts from SNP ministers on when the Covid restrictions they face will finally be lifted.’

The latest figures show 54.8 per cent of 12 to 15-year-olds and 75.7 per cent of 16 and 17-year-olds have had their first Covid jab. Last week, the percentage of pupils absent from school for Covid-19-related reasons fell to 1.3, but this increased to 1.7 on Wednesday this week.