Vaccines are still a priority for teachers, says union

Sunday 14 March 2021

A teachers union is hopeful that the States of Guernsey will do everything in their power to move school staff up the priority list for Covid-19 vaccinations.

All schools re-opened on Monday this week, with year group bubbles, mask wearing and distancing in social spaces among the measures in place to help protect pupils and teachers.

Gary Upton, National Executive Member of 'District 29' for NASUWT, said that safety is paramount for school staff, who need to feel secure in educational settings. 

"We are cautiously hopeful with the States’ risk assessments and it is crucial for our members’ assurance that these are being adhered to," he said.

"There has to be effective, serious and persistent adherence to the guidelines.

"One of the biggest factors with teachers is that we don’t necessarily get the same protection equipment to wear [as other public-facing staff] and we just think that the vaccine would give that extra layer of protection."

Pictured: The earliest teachers could be vaccinated is at the end of phase 1 of the vaccination programme.

While Mr Upton is critical of the UK Government for their treatment of teachers in the vaccination process, he is more "encouraged" by the response of officials in Guernsey.

During Phase 1 of the vaccination process, Guernsey has been bound to follow the UK's lead, as directed by scientists on the JCVI, as we receive our allocation of the vaccines via the NHS supply chain. 

However, the Civil Contingencies Authority is in talks with the UK about moving teachers and other professions, such as police officers, to the front of the queue in Phase 2, which could start as early as the end of April.

"We simply want to ensure our members are safe in schools - we have had encouraging discussions with the States of Guernsey," said Mr Upton. 

"The track and trace system in Guernsey is also noticeably working more effectively than ours in the UK and they have been able to trace the spread of infections."

Pictured: Teachers are among the essential workers tested frequently at the East Arm. 

There is regularly testing of those in schools at the East Arm and it is important that the effectiveness of protective measures is analysed in a timely way, so that our Public Health authorities are able to react quickly if needed. 

After a very positive week locally, with no new Covid-19 cases, Mr Upton said the next few weeks of transmission data will be crucial: "It is really important that we do analyse that data."

CCA Chairman Peter Ferbrache has confirmed that the earliest teachers could be vaccinated is at the start of Phase 2. 

Specific measures have been drawn up to protect students and teachers as schools start to return to normal. The current measures are likely to relax further as we move through lockdown and more islanders are vaccinated. 

“We understand the concerns and we are well aware of the constraints and the difficulties teachers face,” said the Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink, at a recent briefing.