Flu vaccine must be available to school staff say Greens
Scottish Greens Education Spokesperson Ross Greer MSP has called on the Scottish Government to extend flu vaccine eligibility to teachers and other school staff.
Earlier this week the Scottish Government announced in its Programme for Government that it would extend the eligibility for the flu vaccine to everyone over the age of 55, social care workers and those who live with ‘shielding’ people. Now, Mr Greer is calling on ministers to go further and extend the programme to school staff too.
Ross Greer MSP said:
“The Scottish Government must ensure that teachers and all school staff are made eligible for the flu vaccine this year. I’ve no doubt that making the flu vaccine available would reduce some of the stress and anxiety felt by staff who have returned to full time school environments where social distancing is too often a dream more than a reality. It is vital that every support is put in place for them at this challenging time.
“The impact of significant staff absences over winter on an already overstretched workforce would also be substantial. If we want to avoid potentially significant disruption to our schools, extending the flu vaccination programme would be an excellent place to start.”