Why can't they vaccinate teaching staff first? If they want schools to open?

[piddocktrumperiness]

I understand that there are arguably more vulnerable people that need the vaccine, in terms of health but if they, the govt want schools to open, and if kids are the vectors that super spread the virus, why can't they ensure that teaching staff become priority and get the vaccine?

@Mousehole10

It’s not just teachers catching it that’s the problem, It’s children spreading it to vulnerable family. Also I don’t agree that teachers should have it before the most vulnerable.

This!!!!

We wouldn't all be so exercised about prioritisation if we could vaccinate at the same speed as the Israelis!

Because putting them on the list would mean moving down a vulnerable group who are at risk of hospitalisation and death. Vaccinating school staff would therefore extend risk and potentially make lockdown longer.

Because vaccinating staff would do nothing to stop the virus spreading between pupils and being carried home to their families. Schools aren't being shut to protect staff, they're being shut to help control the overall spread of the virus.

If the kids aren't vaccinated it won't reduce spread. The average Secondary school has around 1300 students and will have around 150 teachers and support staff. That level of household mixing with very very little mitigation is the problem.
If we vaccinate football players it's still the crowds watching that would be the problem. 'Covid loves a crowd' schools are huge crowds 😬

Because most teachers are not at risk of serious illness or death from covid (some will be ECV of course, but they are already high priority for the vaccine). The point of the vaccine at this stage is to stop the NHS from collapsing by protecting those most likely to die or need hospital treatment. Once those groups are all protected there will be less need for school closures anyway.