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Teachers have strongly criticized the proposed new changes to the government’s vaccination schedule, warning that it would undermine staff efforts to keep schools open.
The National Organization of Teachers of Ireland (INTO), which represents primary school teachers, said it would seek an emergency meeting with the Department of Education “to vigorously protest any decline of our profession on the vaccination list.”
ASTI, which represents second-level teachers, said it was shocked by the plan. Demand an urgent meeting with the Department of Education.
Garda representatives and prison officials have also expressed disappointment with the restructuring of the vaccine launch.
The Garda Association of Sergeants and Inspectors (Agsi) said the decision shows “scant regard for the unique and high-risk work the Gardaí do in policing Covid-19.”
Revision
On Tuesday, the cabinet considered a review of the current vaccination campaign against Covid-19. Under this proposal, once those over the age of 70 are vaccinated, as well as those with underlying health problems and vulnerable groups, vaccines will be given only on the basis of age rather than age and profession.
The changes won’t go into effect until people with underlying conditions and those under 65 in long-term residential facilities are vaccinated.
A review of the evidence by the National Immunization Advisory Committee follows that found that no occupational group emerged as being at higher risk, regardless of age and other comorbidities.
Government sources hope that a simpler, age-based approach, which will proceed in 10-year cohorts, will be simpler and will reduce the administrative burden involved. The measure follows similar developments in the UK.
In reaction, INTO said the proposed changes to the vaccination schedule “would abandon carefully considered priority groups that are working on the front lines.”
‘Drastic’
He said there was “no inquiry or notification of this drastic change that will surely affect our members’ confidence about safety at work.”
The union said it was essential that teachers and all key workers continue to be prioritized once vulnerable people and the elderly are vaccinated.
INTO Secretary General John Boyle said: “For months we have heard the government say, over and over again, that education is the government’s top priority. So how can teachers be treated with such blatant contempt as front-line education workers? This measure undermines the efforts of our educational staff to keep our elementary and special schools open safely. This is unacceptable and the government must prioritize the safety of teachers and all key workers once the vulnerable and the elderly are protected for the first time through vaccination. “
Fórsa, the union that represents Special Needs Aides (SNA), said its members had returned to work in schools on the grounds that they would be vaccinated as soon as possible and would be “disappointed” by any change in schedule at this moment.
He urged the Government “to, at the very least, deliver on its promise to prioritize essential school personnel, including SNAs.
The union said SNAs worked alongside vulnerable students in situations where social distancing is impossible. He said this meant they were at higher risk of contracting the virus than most other groups. He said that Covid-19 cases in schools were increasing in line with community transmission, leaving ANSs, particularly those with high-risk medical conditions, anxious about the new delay in vaccine availability.
Andy Pike, the union’s education director, said: “The SNAs did their bit to ensure that schools would open as of February 11 on the basis that, among other safeguards, they would be prioritized for vaccines. Today’s radical government change means that many thousands will wait even longer to receive the protection that only a vaccine can provide. At the very least, Fórsa calls on the government to fulfill its promise to prioritize essential school personnel, including SNAs ”.
The union said the unwanted shift in focus would not directly affect the planned expansion of the schools reopening on April 12. This is because vaccination of school personnel had not been scheduled prior to that date.
‘Serious concerns’
ASTI President Ann Piggott said the government has continuously stated that a key goal is to keep schools open. “Today’s decision is totally at odds with this goal and undermines it,” he said.
“Teachers and other school staff are front-line workers. We want schools to remain open, yet teachers have the right to a safe work environment, as do other essential workers who cannot work remotely.
“It is particularly reprehensible that there were no consultations prior to these reports. This news represents a great blow to the confidence of the teachers ”, he added.
“Teachers are working in difficult circumstances, many of them spending a significant part of their working day in poorly ventilated buildings and in classrooms of 28 to 30 students. Social distancing can be a major problem.
“This is an unacceptable development and shows little regard for teachers as front-line workers.”
ASTI said it will demand an urgent meeting with the Department of Education.
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) said it had “serious concerns” about the proposed changes to the vaccination schedule and was seeking urgent discussions with the Department of Education.
Its secretary general, Michael Gillespie, said the reported changes “would place many essential education workers lower on the priority list at a time when the government’s stated key goal is to fully reopen schools in a safe and secure manner. sustainable that has the trust of the community school “.
He said there had been no warning or consultation prior to the proposed changes to the vaccination schedule.
“We are seeking further clarification and an urgent engagement with the Department of Education on this issue.”
“It is also important to note that TUI’s position is that the most vulnerable in society, including the elderly and those with underlying health problems, should be prioritized for vaccination in the first instance.”
‘Deflated’
The Secretary General of the Garda Association of Sergeants and Inspectors said members are “really discouraged and disappointed” at the prospect of not getting vaccinated “for many months”.
“What is ironic and contradictory here is that the Government is asking people not to gather indoors or to gather in large groups to stop community transmission, yet the Gardaí are moving from Covid-call to Covid- call and potentially acting as super-spreaders of the virus they are trying to control.
“We believe this illustrates a scant regard for the well-being and well-being of An Garda Síochána members who have been working a 12-hour emergency list for a full year.”
Ms Cunninghan said Agsi will seek to meet with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and ask them to “consider the role the gardaí plays in surveillance of Covid-19.”
Prison Officers Association (POA) deputy secretary general Gabriel Keaveny said members will be disappointed with the decision.
“The only people who work with Covid-positive prisoners are prison officials,” he said.
Keaveny said a POA analysis showed that prison officials have visited hospitals more than 500 times while escorting prisoners in the past quarter, including escorts to Covid wards.
“We feel like they are leaving us in an impossible position because going to work is very dangerous.”
‘Horrified’
Sinn Féin education spokesperson Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked Education Minister Norma Foley to make sure teachers are not left behind in launching the vaccine.
Speaking as reports of changes to the vaccine program began to emerge, he said he was “appalled” by the plans, adding that they remove any prioritization for staff working in education, which is “embarrassing.”
Mr Ó Laoghaire claimed that the government’s approach to launching vaccines has been “chaotic” and “choppy and changed.”
He added: “It doesn’t make sense that someone without an underlying condition and who can work from home can get vaccinated before the teaching staff, who have to go to work every day and support our young people.”
Labor Party leader Alan Kelly said the vaccine program is under review “after many problems” and reiterated his call for a Vaccine Minister.
He also said: “There are many essential front-line workers in education, child care, surveillance and retail who will be concerned that they no longer have a priority in the vaccination program.”
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