S5W-34504

Asked by: Findlay, Neil (None - None)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will prioritise teachers and education staff in the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine, and to what extent any additional risks for staff in the provision of education for younger aged children and children with additional support needs have been factored into its vaccination programme timetable, in light of these risks reportedly being comparable to those present in the provision of health and social care.

Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands

To save lives it is essential that vaccination be given to the first priority groups as set by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), these being residents in a care home for older adults and their carers, people over the age of 80, and frontline health and social care workers.

Prioritisation by sector in not being considered for the following reasons;

• Criticality of service is not an indication for priority vaccination because clinical risk is the overriding concern. This is influenced most greatly by age, not occupation.
• Currently there is no sectoral prioritisation of any workers other than frontline health and social care workers. This is because we don’t know if the vaccine prevents spread, but it does reduce the harm to those most at risk should they catch the virus.
• Individual members of the teaching profession will be called forward for vaccination according to their position on the priority list, if they are eligible within the JCVI Cohorts regarding their age and/or underlying medical conditions (e.g. All individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality).

The JCVI list now includes staff directly involved in the direct care of children and young people with the most complex additional healthcare needs who are clinically vulnerable to severe effects of COVID. They may be at higher risk of exposure due to their close contact with those providing health and social care support, particularly those with severe neuro-disabilities. They will be eligible under category 2 of the JCVI list. This includes staff working in special schools and units, and in some cases in mainstream schools. Staff supporting these children will undertake roles which will align to the multi-agency educational and care plans for these children who are the most clinically vulnerable.

Mentions:
1: Swinney, John (SNP - Perthshire North) Covid-19 presents an additional challenge, but I am pleased to say that schools and teachers have risen - Speech Link
2: Swinney, John (SNP - Perthshire North) school staff via the employer referral portal. - Speech Link
3: Swinney, John (SNP - Perthshire North) school staff via the employer referral portal. - Speech Link
4: Johnson, Daniel (Lab - Edinburgh Southern) Will the Scottish Government prioritise teachers and school staff to follow on from health and social - Speech Link
5: Whittle, Brian (Con - South Scotland) activities during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. - Speech Link