Earlier this week, Munira spoke in a debate in Parliament on prioritising teachers and staff in early years settings for Covid-19 vaccinations.
Following healthcare staff and the most vulnerable in our society receiving the vaccination, there is space for teachers and other professionals to be considered in the next steps of the vaccination programme.
Munira argued that vaccinating teachers and support staff in educational and early year settings is crucial for ensuring their safety and protecting them against the spread of Covid-19. Furthermore, vaccinating teachers and support staff will help schools to safely reopen, which is important for vulnerable children who may not have the facilities to learn from home.
Special schools have remained open during the national lockdown because many of their students are vulnerable by definition. Early years settings have also remained open. Munira made the point that teachers and support staff working in these environments have expressed concerns in particular that they are currently at a higher risk of exposure to Covid-19.
Munira also suggested that vaccinating staff in special educational settings is particularly important because pupils can be less likely to adhere to social distancing restrictions.
In order to deliver this vaccination to teachers promptly, Munira argued for the current vaccination programme to be scaled up rapidly.
Munira reiterated her calls for a 24/7 vaccination programme to be made available in every high street. Vaccinating as many people as possible quickly is key to being able to vaccinate teachers and allow the safe reopening of schools.