Teachers in Beds and Herts welcome boosters for teenagers, but "more steps" needed
The National Education Union in the Eastern region tells us there should be a greater focus on ventilation, and not merging classes
A teaching union in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire has welcomed coronavirus booster vaccines being offered to 16 and 17-year-olds.
However, the National Education Union says more steps are needed, to protect teachers.
They say they would like a greater focus on ventilation, and an end to the idea of combining classes in the case of staff shortages.
Paul McLaughlin, East Regional Secretary for the NEU, told Greatest Hits Radio: "The main issue at the moment in schools is to do with lack of support for adequate ventilation, and this idea that we would combine classes to deal with teacher absences and the like.
"It's almost creating mass spreader events, which is diametrically opposed to what they should be doing. Those are the kind of things that would have the more immediate impact, but we certainly support the vaccination of those who qualify under the medical advice.
"We believe it's helpful for students to take the vaccination where it's deemed appropriate by the scientists, and it will help."
The Government has previously announced that 7,000 air purifiers are being provided to schools where 'quick fixes' like opening windows are not possible. A statement adds: 'The 7,000 new air purifiers will be for areas where quick fixes to improve ventilation are not possible, such as being able to open a window, and will help to improve ventilation in schools. This builds on the 1,000 air purifiers announced for special schools and alternative provision settings.
'Feedback from schools suggests that the 350,000 carbon dioxide monitors rolled out across the country are also acting as a helpful tool to manage ventilation.'