Teachers jab will reopen schools

HEALTH Secretary Matt Hancock said teachers have a “good shout” at being top of the list in the next phase of jabs (Mirror, January 25) but that still won’t get schools open early enough.

They should have been prioritised in the first stage of the programme, along with the vulnerable and NHS workers.

Boris Johnson, Gavin Williamson, Matt Hancock and Michael Gove have repeatedly told us their priority was to keep schools open. But they don’t seem to understand that to do this they need to vaccinate all teachers and support staff immediately.

At this rate schools might not be open until the summer. The Government’s handling of education in the pandemic has been a shambles.

Ashley Smith, March, Cambs

I fully agree that teachers should be a priority for the Covid jab, but what about nursery workers? I have two granddaughters who work very hard in nurseries. They are looking after key workers’ children as well as toddlers, but they get no recognition. It’s as if they have been forgotten. They’ve had to self-isolate many times because youngsters have tested positive. It’s about time someone fought their corner.

Angela Gill, Cheadle, Gtr Manchester

I have already received my first vaccination for which I am very grateful. But I feel strongly that others should have come before me, such as teachers

and support staff, police officers and the emergency services and, of course, the scandalously neglected care home workers and residents.

The three-week gap between doses should also be adhered to.

Those awaiting the second dose will have 12 anxious weeks hoping the vaccine arrives. With this rabble in charge who knows if supplies will be maintained?

Tony Sykes, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Through this pandemic we have all been able to buy food at essential stores, had our dustbins emptied and our water, gas and electricity supplies maintained.

So if anyone deserves to be given priority for the vaccine it should be these key workers.

Without them we could not have got through the biggest national crisis since the Second World War.

They have kept working even when the schools have been shut.

Paul Booker, Clay Cross, Derbys

■ The NHS and services, followed teachers and the emergency closely by workforce

keeping the country running, should be vaccinated next, leaving oldies like me who have the least to lose, at the end of the queue.

Had I been given the option I’d have willingly given my slot to any younger member of society. It’s simple logic to me.

Name and address supplied

Well done to the Mirror for echoing what I have said since the vaccine was first rolled out.

Anyone working face to face with the public every day, including teachers and all support staff, should be a far higher priority than someone like me, a reasonably healthy retired person who is home safe for at least 90% of the day.

Stuart Magrath, Wigan

My wife and I had our first jab last Friday and we are both in our 70s. What I would have wanted before we got ours, is that all NHS and care home staff should have been protected first.

They have gone through so much trying to save lives – and in some cases have lost their own John Hardy, Hull