The return of children to schools next week is a welcome milestone. To ensure schools can stay open rather than close because of staff shortages, and so that teachers and school staff are safer doing their jobs, it is crucial that teachers are prioritised for vaccines.   

The Government missed an opportunity to vaccinate teaching and school staff over the February half term. This would have meant that teachers and school staff would have had immunity built up before schools reopened.  

Join me in calling on the Health Secretary not to waste any more time and to urgently prioritise vaccinating teachers and school staff. To add your voice please sign the petition below.

We owe teachers a debt of gratitude for all that they have done throughout the pandemic to educate pupils under very difficult circumstances. Before lockdown, teacher shortages was one of the main reasons for school closures. Teachers have been on the front line putting their health at risk keeping schools open for vulnerable children and those of fellow key workers. With a full return to school for pupils next week, teachers will be at even greater risk interacting with many more pupils. Social distancing is impossible. Ministers must listen to teachers’ and school staffs very real concerns and prioritise them for vaccination urgently.