Decision not to recommend Covid jabs for more pupils 'could mean school disruption'; Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said the union was "disappointed" about the decision.
Byline: By, PA
The decision not to recommend COVID-19 vaccines for all children aged between 12 and 15 will make it "more difficult" to guard against educational disruption, a school leaders' union has warned.
As pupils return to school across the country, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation JCVI has said it is not recommending mass vaccination of pupils aged between 12 and 15.
But it is widening the rollout to around 200,000 more children in this age bracket who have underlying health conditions.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders ASCL, said the union was "disappointed" that the Government's vaccine advisers had decided against a mass rollout of the age group.
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He warned: "We understand that this decision has been made after making an assessment of the balance of risks and with all the available evidence, and we respect that decision.
"Nevertheless, the upshot is that this would make it more difficult during the autumn term and beyond to guard against educational disruption caused by transmission of the virus."
Mr Barton added: "In the meantime, it is now even more important that the Government does everything possible to provide support to schools and colleges to manage this situation and keep children in class.
"As it stands, the Government has removed the main safeguards that were in place last academic year, and we would repeat our warning that it must keep the situation under close review and be ready to act if there is a significant increase in cases.
"We simply cannot have another term in which there is major educational disruption. It is not fair on pupils and their families or on the schools and colleges which are trying so hard to support them."
The decision came after a group of scientists called for all young people aged 12 and over to be offered a coronavirus vaccine as they warned that allowing mass infection of children is "reckless".
They also called for rules on face coverings for secondary school students and staff in classrooms and for bubbles to be reinstated, as well as more investment in building ventilation.
The group have written to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson alongside some parents, carers and educational staff to express their concerns about the impact of the pandemic on education.
This week, Mr Williamson indicated his support for a widening of the programme by saying a lot...
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