Early years workers getting the vaccine now

[Catlover10]

My boyfriend has just been told today he can book himself the vaccine through his work (he works in a private nursery in England). Some of the more senior members there have booked theirs today. Just wondered if anybody knew anything about this?? It doesn’t affect me as I don’t work but obviously it’s good my partner is getting it as he can’t distance from the children at all. I’m guessing all teachers will fall under this “health and social care” bracket now and be offered the vaccine over the next couple of weeks?

I would be SO happy if this is the case. Ive been willing EYFS staff to be vaccinated for the reasons you stated.

I’m guessing all teachers will fall under this “health and social care” bracket now and be offered the vaccine over the next couple of weeks?

Whilst that would be amazing and I would jump at the chance to have the vaccine in the next few weeks, this is not the government policy, as far as I know.

I work in a mainstream school with an SEN unit attached. The staff directly involved with the SEN students (teachers, TA and other support staff) are all booking their vaccine now.

There are definitely areas that are using their own judgements, probably hoping that the people given out of order will be discreet. I know that DS2 special school staff have had them and as this is the most likely place my family will get it I am quite relieved.

@Letseatgrandma

I’m guessing all teachers will fall under this “health and social care” bracket now and be offered the vaccine over the next couple of weeks?

Whilst that would be amazing and I would jump at the chance to have the vaccine in the next few weeks, this is not the government policy, as far as I know.

It's definitely not policy in the LA in which I work. We've been told that very clearly.

I think the category for providing personal care via your work, now includes nappy/pad etc changing and cleaning.

You'll see on a few threads that Care Assistants, HCW aren't getting the vaccine because they've misinterpreted the data. The take up isn't at the level the government wanted, so there's been the availability to extend the groups. Also we've done brilliantly to get the numbers done, of course. But this isn't the same in all areas.

I work in a maintained nursery school and so far our LA has limited it to those of us who have direct close contact with children with disabilities. In my setting that is pretty much all of us, so we have all been able to book our vaccinations. But I have heard a rumour this morning on an early year WhatsApp group that this might now have been officially extended to all early years staff....waiting for confirmation though.

There are a few SEN children within my partners nursery, but I’m unsure if this is the reason they have been offered the jab. I was under the impression it was for all early years educators but I may be wrong but it’s always worth double checking this now if anybody thinks they might qualify. (It’s super hard to distance from all the children and the fact that PPE isn’t allowed makes it even more of a risk, so I think I should be given to all of them personally).

I would have thought all schools have SEN students, probably at least one per class so most teachers will be in contact with them. I really hope this means all teachers and school staff get the vaccine in the next few weeks.

It just makes no sense as to why teachers have not been made priority when care workers and social care worker have been vaccinated. I am getting mine next week as a social care worker and I’m in contact with one or 2 clients, teachers are in contact with loads of children, no PPE and yet they are not priority?

Let’s hope that now teachers can get their vaccinations and that schools can begin to open to more students.

My dd attends a sn school and is returning to school in a couple week, I’m guessing all staff have or will be vaccinated.

As far as I'm aware nursery workers are eligible if the nursery has a child with a disability attending

However, I've read today that Nursery workers have been recategorised to Social care workers meaning that all are now eligible?! I'm trying to find out more detail

Oh following this with interest. I’m a childminder and would be keen to get the vaccine if I can.

@Lovemusic33

I would have thought all schools have SEN students, probably at least one per class so most teachers will be in contact with them. I really hope this means all teachers and school staff get the vaccine in the next few weeks.

It just makes no sense as to why teachers have not been made priority when care workers and social care worker have been vaccinated. I am getting mine next week as a social care worker and I’m in contact with one or 2 clients, teachers are in contact with loads of children, no PPE and yet they are not priority?

Let’s hope that now teachers can get their vaccinations and that schools can begin to open to more students.

My dd attends a sn school and is returning to school in a couple week, I’m guessing all staff have or will be vaccinated.

I also find it odd that teachers are not any sort of priority despite classrooms being crammed, unventilated and no ppe. And let’s not forget the 333% teacher infection rate when compared to their community during the relevant period of Sep-Dec.

I half expect teachers to be deprioritised to group 56, with no vaccine ever and the government continuing to parrot in a confused manner “but schools are safe”

I really hope all nursery workers can now get it. I don’t think this will apply to all teachers though as they aren’t all early years.

I've booked mine today.

Either I work for the same chain as your bf or it's come in to force today. I was also under the impression it was all eyps.

This would be great if nursery workers are getting prioritised! I am finding the 'job based' prioritisation very nonsensical currently.
Me - before Christmas and when we go back - teaching classes of 30 teens, no social distancing, no PPE, 200 kids a week. Including giving first aid with close contact and breaking up fights. Not a priority for a vaccine.
Friend A - social worker, working entirely from home. Had her vaccine in early Jan.
Friend B - social worker, sees two families a week and social distances. Vaccine in December.
Friend C - works in NHS back office. Had vaccine early Jan as group 2 (not using up a leftover)
Friend D - on maternity leave from NHS until end of summer. Got her vaccine mid-Jan
Friend D - NHS dr, frontline. Been told he has to wait for his until groups 1-9 are done because he is working on a 'clean' ward. Wtf?
If nursery staff who are providing hands on care for multiple children are being prioritised that's a big step towards common sense.

It has been discussed a lot on nanny groups i am part of today. Not 100% clear and lots of controversy.

@SchrodingersUnicorn

This would be great if nursery workers are getting prioritised! I am finding the 'job based' prioritisation very nonsensical currently. Me - before Christmas and when we go back - teaching classes of 30 teens, no social distancing, no PPE, 200 kids a week. Including giving first aid with close contact and breaking up fights. Not a priority for a vaccine. Friend A - social worker, working entirely from home. Had her vaccine in early Jan. Friend B - social worker, sees two families a week and social distances. Vaccine in December. Friend C - works in NHS back office. Had vaccine early Jan as group 2 (not using up a leftover) Friend D - on maternity leave from NHS until end of summer. Got her vaccine mid-Jan Friend D - NHS dr, frontline. Been told he has to wait for his until groups 1-9 are done because he is working on a 'clean' ward. Wtf? If nursery staff who are providing hands on care for multiple children are being prioritised that's a big step towards common sense.

Me too

Call me a jealous bastard but I can't help but feel pissed off with how many people I know have managed to get the vaccine based on the fact they work in a very non people facing role of an eligible work area, and then put bloody stickers on their Facebook profile pics!! All whilst I'm out everyday in my no flipping Covid friendly role as a nursery worker.

If I'd managed to get it just because I happen to work for a company, there's no way I'd have the guts to splash it everywhere. All the people who I know in this position are fully work from home. I know someone will say it's too time consuming to split work areas into priority but it just feels like such a kick in the teeth

It's not national. It's good though that some places are sorting it out.

Oh I hope so! Not EY workers but use them and feel they need protecting

I agree with PP about the profile pic stickers. I would be embarrassed if I was on mat leave etc, I understand getting it but not broadcasting the fact for all to see

Worker*

@needadvice54321 I agree. I'm quite jealous I work in mainstream education with behavioural needs. I have no social distancing and get biten and spat at the daily ly. I feel I am as much at risk as changing a nappy. Not that I begrudge anyone in nursery getting the jab or Sen.

@Kitcat122 Are you not now eligible?! I thought all people who work in SEN were now able to book? That's appalling

As a TA in a mainstream school I work closely with children with SEN daily - I have heard nothing about this...

I could have sworn I've read a couple of bits today about anyone working with SEN children now being eligible. I'm off to see what I can find!

I've not heard anything will have to investigate 🤔👍