Blog by Sienna Rodgers
took a risk this week by calling for critical workers
to be vaccinated as a priority alongside those aged 50 to 65 and
the clinically extremely vulnerable. Under the plan he put
forward, school staff would be vaccinated during the February
half-term. To sceptical journalists, Labour defended the proposal
by highlighting that a round-the-clock vaccination programme
delivering four million doses a week would create the capacity to
make it happen. “The NHS rightly deserve congratulations for
their impressive and speedy roll out of vaccinations. But now we
need to go further and faster,” said.
, the Shadow Education Secretary, has set out a plan
today incorporating this vaccine prioritisation for school staff.
While demanding a “delivery plan” from for the
full reopening of schools, which has said he hopes can take place in March, Labour’s
education lead has set out the measures that the opposition
would like to see taken up. As well as half-term being used for
vaccines, the suggestions include support for the effective
delivery of mass testing and the introduction of ‘Nightingale
classrooms’, which would allow pupils to be taught in socially
distanced and well-ventilated classrooms. Labour is also backing
face coverings in school corridors and communal areas.
Also: Labour
sets out measures needed for full reopening of schools in
March
