ASCL comment on JCVI advice

Commenting on the interim advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) over phase 2 of the Covid vaccine programme, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“We are disappointed that the JCVI has not advised the prioritisation of education staff in the next phase of the Covid vaccine programme. The government needs to make a policy decision on this matter having insisted that education is a national priority and having announced a ‘big bang’ return to the classroom in England. It must now back that up by providing a clear direction that education staff will be prioritised in the next phase of the programme. This is important not only in reassuring staff who it expects to work in busy and crowded environments, but also in terms of minimising disruption to education caused by staff absence as a result of Covid.”