SPECIAL SCHOOL STAFF GIVEN CHANCE OF VACCINE

Jab offered to all those working with ‘clinically vulnerable youngsters’

SCHOOL staff working with ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ pupils are being offered the coronavirus vaccine.

Stoke-on-trent City Council has revealed the jabs have been made available to the city’s special schools.

And up to three members of staff in every primary and secondary school could also be given access to reserved slots.

It is one of a growing number of local authorities to prioritise teachers and school support staff who can be classed as providing health and social care.

Some councils have also offered leftover vaccine supplies to school workers.

In special schools, many pupils have disabilities or medical conditions which place them at greater risk.

It also means support can go beyond education in the classroom, with some staff administering medication and vulnerable, or have disabilities personal care. or health conditions that make

A report to the city council’s them exceptionally vulnerable to cabinet states: “Vaccinations Covid-19.” have been made available to The move comes as the expert special school staff, while all body advising the Government schools have three slots reserved on the Covid-19 vaccine rollout for staff working with extremely has rejected calls to make all clinically vulnerable young teachers a priority for the people.” vaccine.

It is not known how The Joint Committee many school workers on Vaccination have taken up the offer and Immunisation at this stage. (JCVI) has instead

Staffordshire County recommended it should Council also confirmed continue to be based it’s made the jabs available on age. It will mean 40 to to some special school staff. 49-year-olds are next in line

Dr Richard Harling, abodvaen, tkhietwooodnce all the over-50s have been county’s director for health and offered their first dose. care, said: “We recognise the A Government spokesman importance of protecting people confirmed they would be who are most vulnerable to following this approach. Covid-19. Experts say this focuses on an

“This is why the vaccine has individual’s risk of becoming been offered to those staff in seriously ill rather than their risk special schools who provide care of catching the virus. for children or young people But if teachers regularly work who are clinically extremely with pupils who are clinically extremely vulnerable, the JCVI has recommended they are considered for the vaccine in line with social care workers.

Teaching unions say they are ‘disappointed’ that the latest announcement doesn’t offer further protection to those on the frontline in schools.

They have been campaigning to get teachers included in the next phase.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “School teams are being relied upon to lead the country out of the pandemic.

“They are being required to work with large groups of people who carry at least as much potential for infection as anyone else. Those groups often occupy confined and unventilated spaces for long periods of time with only rudimentary PPE.

“A sick teacher is a teacher away from class, which will mean further disruption to pupils’ education.”