to call for priority and free flu vaccine for teachers of SN pupils

[Standandwait]

(And yes, I know there are SN boards elsewhere in Mumsnet, but they're not as widely read.)

For your information, school pupils who are vulnerable because of various SN (including SEN, which does make social distancing and mask-wearing harder to manage) have long received free flu vaccines, either via special schools or if in mainstream schools from their NHS practice.

This year, those vaccines were released a full month earlier than any previous year I can remember -- which was smart.

BUT the teachers don't get the vaccine! As the mother of a SN child, I'm asking you all to email your MPs and LEAs (local education authorities) to ask them to give the vaccine to teachers too, this year and in future.

Because:

1. they are being put at risk by their job, with our children who again are more likely than most to expose them
2. they in turn may expose our children
3. in summary, teachers of SN children should count as carers for vaccine priority.

I work in a SN school and have had my flu vaccine paid for. I would have paid for my own without quibble though. It is common sense to get one.

At my school we can all hav a free flu jab, we just hav to sign up. Thats been the case for the last 6 years or so.

Also all our year 7s have had the flu vaccine this year which doesnt usually happen.
I agree with what you are saying though. I teach an SEND group in a mainstream school and its impossible to socially distance due to the support they need. Im just cracking on and using a lot of hand gel!